New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS): Peru will confer one of its highest civilian honours - the Order of Merit for Distinguished Services - on noted scholar S.P. Ganguly for his contribution to strengthening cultural links between India and the Latin American nation.

The award, La Orden Al Merito por Servicios Distinguidos en el Grado de Comendador, will be presented to Ganguly at a ceremony in the Indian capital next month, the Embassy of Peru said in a statement.

"I am delighted. It paves the way for promoting studies and interest in an area that has historically been neglected because of the dominance of English," Ganguly, 65, a professor and scholar of Spanish and Latin American studies at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), told IANS.

The award is in recognition of "his valuable contribution, for more than 30 years, in the diffusion and promotion of knowledge on history, society, culture and literature of Peru and Latin America through his writings and guidance of research in India and abroad and for his mark as teacher in Spanish and Latin American Studies at JNU", the embassy said.

"Ganguly has played a very important role in developing links between Peru and India, as guide for doctoral works and research studies on eminent literary figures such as Cesar Vallejo and Javier Sologuren," it said.

The award ceremony will be held at the residence of the Ambassador of Peru, Javier Paulinich, Dec 7.