PM Modi Conferred With France's Highest Award During Key Visit

French President Emmanuel Macron presented Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the prestigious Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour on Thursday (local time), marking a historic moment.

It is the highest French honour in military or civilian orders. With this, PM Modi becomes the first Indian PM to receive this honour.

The award ceremony took place at the Elysee Palace in Paris, where Macron hosted Modi for a private dinner.

Expressing gratitude on behalf of the people of India, Prime Minister Modi thanked President Macron for bestowing this esteemed honor. The award ceremony took place at the Elysee Palace, where Macron hosted a private dinner for PM Modi.

"Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, France's highest award, on 13 July 2023, by H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic of France. Prime Minister thanked President Macron for this singular honour on behalf of the people of India," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

Arindam Bagchi, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, conveyed his appreciation through a tweet, saying, "A warm gesture exemplifying the spirit of the India-France partnership. PM @narendramodi conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the highest award in France, by President @EmmanuelMacron."

The Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor has previously been bestowed upon distinguished leaders and notable personalities worldwide, including former South African President Nelson Mandela, King Charles (then Prince of Wales), former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and former United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, among others.

This recognition from France adds to the series of prestigious international awards and honors bestowed upon Prime Minister Modi. These include the Order of the Nile from Egypt in June 2023, Companion of the Order of Logohu from Papua New Guinea in May 2023, Companion of the Order of Fiji in May 2023, Ebakl Award from the Republic of Palau in May 2023, Order of the Druk Gyalpo from Bhutan in 2021, Legion of Merit from the US Government in 2020, King Hamad Order of the Renaissance from Bahrain in 2019, Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddin from Maldives in 2019, Order of St. Andrew Award from Russia in 2019, Order of Zayed Award from the UAE in 2019, Grand Collar of the State of Palestine Award in 2018, State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan from Afghanistan in 2016, and Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud from Saudi Arabia in 2016.

Earlier on the same day, President Emmanuel Macron hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a private dinner at his official residence, the Elysee Palace in Paris. PM Modi was warmly welcomed by President Macron and French First Lady Brigitte Macron.

During his two-day official visit to Paris, Prime Minister Modi received a ceremonial welcome upon his arrival at the airport, where he was greeted by French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne