• Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Bhutan’s highest civilian award, the ‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo’, making him the first foreign Head of the government to receive the honour.

• Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck conferred the ‘Order of the Druk Glyalpo’ to Prime Minister Modi at a ceremony in Thimphu on March 22.

• The award recognises PM Modi’s contribution to strengthening the India-Bhutan friendship and his people-centric leadership.

• The citation added that the award also honours India’s rise as a global power under his leadership, and celebrates Bhutan’s special bond with India.

• The King announced the conferment of the award during Bhutan’s 114th National Day celebrations held at the Tashichhodzong, Thimphu on December 17, 2021. 

• Prime Minister Modi received it during his two-day State visit.

• According to the ranking and precedence established, the ‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo’ was instituted as the decoration for lifetime achievement and is the pinnacle of the honour system in Bhutan, taking precedence over all orders, decorations and medals.

• Since its establishment, the ‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo’ award has been conferred upon only four eminent personalities. 

• Previous recipients of the award include Her Majesty Royal Queen Grandmother Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck in 2008; His Holiness Je Thrizur Tenzin Dendup (68th Je Khenpo of Bhutan) in 2008 and His Holiness Je Khenpo Trulku Ngawang Jigme Choedra in 2018. Je Khenpo is the Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan.

Other global awards conferred on PM Modi

• Last year, Prime Minister Modi received the Legion of Merit by the US Government that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.

• In 2019, Russia conferred on him its highest civilian honour Order of St. Andrew' award. 

• In August 2019, Abu Dhabi crown prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan honoured Modi with the Order of Zayed, the UAE’s highest civilian award, in recognition of his pivotal role in building the strategic relationship between the two countries.

• In April 2019, Russia conferred its highest civilian award, the Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First, on Modi for his work on bilateral ties. The Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First is awarded to prominent government and public figures, prominent representatives of science, culture, art and various sectors of the economy for “exceptional services that contribute to the prosperity, greatness and glory of Russia”.

• In January 2019, Modi received the first-ever Philip Kotler Presidential award for his “outstanding leadership for the nation”. Philip Kotler is a professor of marketing at Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management.

• Modi was conferred the prestigious Seoul Peace Prize for 2018 for his contribution to international cooperation and fostering global economic growth. The Seoul Peace Prize was established in 1990 to commemorate the success of the 24th Olympic Games held in Seoul.

• In October 2018, Modi received the Champions of the Earth award from UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. The Award was for Modi’s efforts to ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ - including an ambitious pledge to eliminate all single-use plastic in the country by 2022. Launched in 2005, Champions of the Earth celebrates outstanding figures from the public and private sectors and from civil society whose actions have had a transformative positive impact on the environment.

• In February 2018, Modi was conferred the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine by President Mahmoud Abbas, recognising his key contribution to promote relations between India and Palestine. The Grand Collar is Highest order given to foreign dignitaries - kings, heads of state and persons of similar rank.

• In June 2016, Modi was conferred with Amir Amanullah Khan Award, Afghanistan’s highest civilian honour by President Ashraf Ghani after the inauguration of the landmark Afghan-India Friendship Dam in Herat. The award is named after the Afghan national hero, Amanullah Khan (Ghazi), who championed the cause of Afghanistan’s freedom.

• In April 2016, Saudi Arabia conferred Modi with its highest civilian honour - the King Abdulaziz Sash. The award is named after Abdulaziz Al Saud, the founder of the modern Saudi state.

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