Paris: In a historic moment, French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday (local time) conferred the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is the highest French honor in military or civilian orders. With this, PM Modi has become the first Indian PM to receive this honour.
PM Modi thanked French President Macron for this honor on behalf of the people of India. The award ceremony took place at the Elysee Palace where Macron hosted PM Modi for a private dinner.
“Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the highest award of France, by His Excellency Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic of France, on 13 July 2023. The Prime Minister thanked President Macron for this unique honour. India On behalf of the people of India,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in the statement.
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“A warm gesture symbolizing the spirit of India-France partnership,” Arindam Bagchi, official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, said in a tweet. PM Narendra Modi was awarded the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, France’s highest award, by President Emmanuel Macron. ” ,
In the past, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor has been received by select prominent leaders and distinguished figures from around the world. These include former South African President Nelson Mandela, King Charles – then Prince of Wales, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, among others.
This honor given by France is another in the series of top international awards and honors given to PM Modi by various countries. These include Order of the Nile by Egypt in June 2023, Companion of the Order of Logohu by Papua New Guinea in May 2023, Companion of the Order of Fiji in May 2023, Abakal Award by the Republic of Palau in May 2023, Order of the Druk Gyalpo by Bhutan in 2021, Legion of Merit by US Government in 2020, King Hamad Order of the Renaissance by Bahrain in 2019, Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddin by Maldives in 2019, Order of St. Andrew Award by Russia. 2019, Order of Zayed Award by UAE in 2019, Grand Collar of the State of Palestine Award in 2018, State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan by Afghanistan in 2016 and Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud by Saudi Arabia in 2016.
Earlier on Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron hosted PM Narendra Modi for a private dinner at the Elysee Palace, his official residence in Paris on Thursday (local time). PM Modi was welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady of France Brigitte Macron.
The Prime Minister, who arrived in Paris on Thursday on a two-day official visit, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the airport. He was received at the airport by French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne.