Prime Minister Narendra Modi made history on Friday by becoming the first foreign Head of Government to be bestowed with Bhutan’s highest civilian honour, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo. Modi was awarded by the King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, during his state visit to the country.
“This honour is not my personal achievement, it is the honour of India and 140 crore Indians. I humbly accept this honour on behalf of all Indians in this great land of Bhutan and thank you all from the bottom of my heart for this honour,” the Prime Minister said during the award ceremony.
“Today is a very big day in my life, I have been conferred 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 Indian and thank you for this,” he said.
Modi arrived in Paro today on a State Visit to Bhutan from 22-23 March. The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan and the Government’s emphasis on its Neighbourhood First Policy. Prime Minister was warmly received by Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay at Paro airport and accorded a ceremonial welcome.
As per ranking and precedence established, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo was instituted as the decoration for lifetime achievement and is the pinnacle of the honor system in Bhutan, taking precedence over all orders, decorations and medals, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.
Since its institution, the award has been conferred upon only four eminent personalities. 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.
This award was first announced in December 2021 during Bhutan’s National Day. “Narendra Modi is an outstanding embodiment of national, regional, and global leadership. Under him, India has become the fastest growing economy in the world and will be the third largest economy by 2030,” a citation on the award conferred to PM reads.
“Prime Minister Modi has emerged as a figure of destiny, transforming the ancient civilization of India into a dynamic centre of technology and innovation. His commitment to safeguard the environment and invest in renewable energy makes India’s progress truly well rounded. Prime Minister Modi’s leadership has set India on the path of transformation, and India’s moral authority and global influence have grown,” it added.
The citation further states that “PM Modi’s Neighbourhood First policy has strengthened South Asia, and paved the way for collective progress. Bhutan is honoured that a statesman of such stature is a true friend of the Bhutanese people. Prime Minister Modi is a firm supporter of Bhutan’s national vision to achieve self-reliance and become a developed nation. Bhutan-India relations is exemplary among nations.”
