Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday received Bhutan’s highest civilian award ‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo’ by country’s king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. With the recognition, the PM became the first foreign Head of the Government to receive the honour.
The award has been conferred to Prime Minister Modi in recognition of “his outstanding contribution to the growth of India-Bhutan relations and for his distinguished service to the Bhutanese nation and people.” “Honoured to be conferred with ‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo’ Award by Bhutan. I dedicate it to 140 crore Indians,” Modi posted on X soon after.
The King of Bhutan had announced the honour during the 114th National Day celebrations on December 17, 2021. Prime Minister Modi received the honour during his two-day State visit on Friday, marking his third visit since assuming office as the prime minister in 2014.
Speaking at the ceremony, PM Modi said, “Being awarded Bhutan’s Highest Civilian Honour is a momentous occasion for me as an Indian. While every accolade holds significance, receiving recognition from another nation demonstrates the advancement of mutual relations between countries.”
“This honour is not solely mine; it belongs to the 1.4 billion people of India. I graciously accept this honor on behalf of all Indians,” he added.
The Prime Minister also said that India and Bhutan share a relationship that is both ancient and contemporary. “Our nations have a shared heritage, with India being the birthplace of Lord Buddha and Bhutan embracing his teachings as an integral part of its culture. I believe that Bhutan’s emphasis on happiness, prosperity, and the harmony of tradition in life serves as a valuable gift to the world,” he said during his address in Thimphu, Bhutan.
The PM said, “As the world grapples with the challenges of Climate Change, Bhutan’s remarkable progress towards becoming ‘Carbon Neutral’ serves as a beacon of guidance. The aspirations of the youth in both India and Bhutan resonate closely. While India aims to become a Developed Nation by 2047, Bhutan has set its sights on achieving ‘High-income’ status by 2034. In pursuit of our shared goals, India stands firmly with Bhutan, advocating for ‘Brand Bhutan’ and fostering belief in its potential.”
“I assure you that the next five years will inject renewed vigour into our relations. Together, we will endeavour to enhance connectivity, infrastructure, trade, and energy sectors, paving the way for a prosperous future,” PM Modi said.
Notably, In 2020, PM Modi was honoured with the ‘Legion of Merit’ by the US Government, awarded by the US Armed Forces. In 2019, Russia bestowed upon PM Modi its highest civilian honour, the ‘Order of St. Andrew’ award.