PM Modi Receives France’s Highest Honor, Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor

In a historic moment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been awarded the Legion of Honor, France’s highest honor for military or civilian orders. PM Modi has become the first Indian Prime Minister to receive this prestigious recognition.

In the past, the Legion of Honor has been received by leaders and notable people from around the world. These include former South African President Nelson Mandela, then-King Charles – Prince of Wales, former Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, and former Secretary-General of the United Nations, among others.

Adding to his illustrious collection, the recent honor bestowed on PM Modi by France is another testament to the string of major international awards he has received from various countries.

Previous honors bestowed on Modi include the Order of the Nile from Egypt in June 2023, Companion of the Order of Logo from Papua New Guinea in May 2023, Companion of the Order of Fiji in May 2023, Ebakl Award from the Republic of Palau in May 2023, Order of Druk Gyalpo from Bhutan in 2021, and Medal Merit by the United States Government in 2020 and the Order of the Renaissance by King Hamad of Bahrain in 2019.

The Prime Minister also received the Distinguished Judgment Medal of Nishan Ezzeddine from the Maldives in 2019, the Order of St. Andrew from Russia in 2019, the Zayed Medal from the United Arab Emirates in 2019, and the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine Award in 2018. State Medal Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan from Afghanistan in 2016 and Wissam Abdul Aziz Al Saud from Saudi Arabia in 2016.

Prime Minister Modi has arrived here for a two-day visit during which he will hold wide-ranging talks with Macron and join him for the French National Day celebrations as guest of honour. The prime minister’s intensive two-day trip includes a slew of engagements with French leadership, the Indian diaspora, CEOs and dignitaries.

Before his departure, Modi expressed confidence that his visit will provide new impetus for the bilateral strategic partnership. Expanding bilateral defense ties is expected to be a major focus of PM Modi’s talks with Macron. Modi said his visit to France was particularly special, as he would join President Macron for the French National Day celebrations, or the Bastille Day celebrations in Paris as a guest of honour.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between India and France. Rooted in deep trust and commitment, the two countries cooperate closely across various fields including defence, aerospace, civil nuclear energy, the blue economy, trade and investment, education, culture and people-to-people relations.