The award recognizes Prime Minister Modi’s contribution to strengthening India-Bhutan friendship
In a significant development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, Bhutan’s highest civilian decoration, on Friday (March 22, 2024). Prime Minister Modi is the first foreign leader to be given this prestigious award.
 
The honour was conferred by His Majesty the King of Bhutan in a public ceremony at the Tendrelthang, Thimphu.
 
"Honoured to be conferred with 'Order of the Druk Gyalpo' Award by Bhutan. I dedicate it to 140 crore Indians," Prime Minister Modi said. 
 
King of Bhutan had announced the conferment of the award during Bhutan’s 114th National Day celebrations held at the Tashichhodzong, Thimphu in December 2021. 
 
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the award recognizes Prime Minister Modi’s contribution to strengthening India-Bhutan friendship and his people centric leadership. The citation added that the award also honours India’s rise as a global power under his leadership, and celebrates Bhutan’s special bond with India. Prime Minister Modi’s leadership has set India on the path of transformation, and that India’s moral authority and global influence have grown.
 
Prime Minister Modi underlined that the award was an honour bestowed on the 1.4 billion people of Bharat and a testament to the special and unique ties between the two countries.
 
As per ranking and precedence established, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo was instituted as the decoration for lifetime achievement and is the pinnacle of the honour system in Bhutan, taking precedence over all orders, decorations and medals, the MEA said.
 
Latest in a Long List of International Honours
 
Prime Minister Modi has been bestowed with international honours by a number of countries since first assuming the position in 2014:
 
1. In April 2016, during his visit to Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Saudi Arabia's highest civilian honour- the King Abdulaziz Sash. The Prime Minister was conferred the prestigious award by King Salman bin Abdulaziz.
 
2. The same year, PM Modi was bestowed upon the State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan – the highest civilian honour of Afghanistan.
 
3. In the year 2018, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a historic visit to Palestine, he was awarded the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine Award. This is the highest honour of Palestine awarded to foreign dignitaries.
 
4. In 2019, the Prime Minister was awarded the Order of Zayed Award. This is the highest civilian honour of the United Arab Emirates.
 
5. Russia conferred Prime Minister Modi with their highest civilian honour - the Order of St. Andrew Award in 2019.
 
6. Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddin- the highest honour of the Maldives awarded to foreign dignitaries was presented to PM Modi in 2019.
 
7. PM Modi received the prestigious King Hamad Order of the Renaissance in 2019. The honour was conferred by Bahrain.
 
8. Legion of Merit by the US Government, the award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements was conferred on PM Modi in 2020.
 
9. During his visit to Papua New Guinea in 2023, PM Modi was conferred with Ebakl Award by the President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. of the Republic of Palau.
 
10. PM Narendra Modi has also been conferred the highest honour of Fiji, Companion of the Order of Fiji in recognition of his global leadership. The award was conferred by PM Sitiveni Rabuka of Fiji.
 
11. Governor General of Papua New Guinea, Sir Bob Dadae conferred PM Modi with Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu. It is the highest honour of Papua New Guinea.
 
12. In June 2023, President Abdel Fattah El-sisi conferred Prime Minister Modi with the highest state honour of Egypt, the 'Order of Nile.'
 
13. On 13th July 2023, PM Modi was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the highest award in France by President Emmanuel Macron.
 
14. On 25th August 2023, PM Modi was conferred with 'The Grand Cross of the Order of Honour' by President Katerina Sakellaropoulou of Greece.