On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made history as he became the first foreign Head of Government to be presented with Bhutan’s highest civilian honour, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo.
Notably, PM Modi was awarded by the King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, during his state visit to the country.
During the award ceremony, PM Modi said, ‘This honour is not my personal achievement, it is the honour of Bharat and 140 crore Bharatiyas. I humbly accept this honour on behalf of all Bharatiyas in this great land of Bhutan and thank you all from the bottom of my heart for this honour’.
He further added, ‘Today is a very big day in my life, I have been awarded with Bhutan’s highest civilian honour. Every award is special, but when you receive an award from another country, this shows that both countries are moving on the right path. I accept this honour on the basis of every Bharatiya and thank you for this’.
Honoured to be conferred with 'Order of the Druk Gyalpo' Award by Bhutan. I dedicate it to 140 crore Indians. https://t.co/gNa7YlcFfG
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 22, 2024
Modi arrived in Paro on Friday on a State Visit to Bhutan from 22-23 March. The visit aims in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between Bharat and Bhutan and the Government’s focus on its Neighbourhood First Policy.
Prime Minister was warmly received by Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay at Paro airport and accorded a ceremonial welcome. PM Modi is the first foreign Head of Government to receive Bhutan’s highest civilian honour. Previous recipients of the award include Royal Queen Grandmother Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck in 2008; Je Thrizur Tenzin Dendup (68th Je Khenpo of Bhutan) in 2008 and Je Khenpo Trulku Ngawang Jigme Choedra in 2018. Je Khenpo is the Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan.
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