New Delhi, Nov 4 (IANS): Congress president Sonia Gandhi Tuesday congratulated former prime minister Manmohan Singh on being awarded one of Japan's top national awards.

The Japanese embassy Monday announced that the former prime minister will be conferred t he Grand Cordon of the Paulownia Flowers - one of Japan's top national awards - for his "significant contribution" towards boosting bilateral ties.

"A rare and well deserved recognition of a statesman by the government of Japan, the award to Dr Singh makes us, as indeed the entire nation, proud," Sonia Gandhi said in a statement issued by the Congress party.

"The award rightly recognises Dr Mammohan Singh's distinguished and significant contributions towards enhancement of relations and the promotion of friendship between Japan and India for 35 years," she said.

The Japanese embassy said Manmohan Singh was being conferred the honour "in recognition of his significant contribution to the enhancement of relations and the promotion of friendship between Japan and India for about 35 years".