Prime Minister Narendra Modi Receives Bhutan’s Highest Civilian Honour

In a historic gesture, the King of Bhutan conferred the Order of the Druk Gyalpo on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking him as the first foreign head of government to receive Bhutan’s highest civilian honour. The prestigious award, symbolizing a lifetime of outstanding achievements and contributions to society, was presented to Modi during his two-day state visit to Bhutan. This visit, his third since assuming office in 2014, underscores the strong bilateral relations between India and Bhutan.

The ceremony took place after Modi’s arrival at Paro International Airport, where he was welcomed with a guard of honour. The Order of the Druk Gyalpo, which holds the highest precedence in Bhutan’s honour system, has been previously awarded to only four eminent personalities, including members of Bhutanese royalty and religious leaders. Through a post on X, Modi expressed his honour in receiving the award and dedicated it to the people of India, reflecting the deep-seated respect and friendship between the two nations.

The announcement of this honour was initially made by the King of Bhutan during the 114th National Day celebrations in December 2021, highlighting Modi’s significant contributions to the India-Bhutan relationship. Despite a delay due to inclement weather, Modi’s visit and the award presentation were warmly received, symbolizing a further strengthening of the ties between India and Bhutan. Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and looked forward to continued growth in the friendship between the two countries.

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