INDIA: The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is recently on an official visit to France, has been honoured with France’s highest award, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, by French President Emmanuel Macron.
The greatest honour is conferred as a reward for “outstanding merit acquired in the service of the nation in a civilian or military capacity.”
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, a kind act that exemplifies the Indo-French alliance. President Emmanuel Macron awarded PM Narendra Modi with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the highest honour in France.
As per the award decora, “Foreigners may be decorated with the Legion of Honour if they have rendered services (e.g., cultural or economic) to France or supported causes defended by France, such as human rights, freedom of the press, or humanitarian action. State visits are also an occasion for conferring the Legion of Honour upon official figures, according to diplomatic reciprocity, and thereby supporting the foreign policy of France.”
The Indian PM landed on foreign soil and met with France’s biggest leader. He had a vivid discussion with his French counterpart, Elizabeth Borne, and addressed a meeting of the Indian diplomats at the famed performing arts centre La Seine Musicale.
The official meeting is followed by a private dinner that includes Macron and his wife, Brigette Macron, at their official residence, Elysee Palace, in Paris.
PM Modi wrote on Twitter, “I thank President @EmmanuelMacron and Mrs. Macron for hosting me at the Élysée Palace this evening.”
PM Modi is the first Indian to receive this honour. The award was earlier given to prominent leaders and elite personalities from around the world, including former South African president Nelson Mandela, former German chancellor Angela Merkel, and former UN secretary-general Boutros Boutros-Ghali.
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