Since taking office in 2014, PM Narendra Modi has emerged as one of the most globally recognized Indian leaders, receiving 27 top-tier state awards from nations spanning Africa, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.
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Here’s a detailed list of the top civilian awards conferred on PM Modi by 27 countries:
| Country | Award Name | Year Bestowed |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | Order of King Abdulaziz (Sash) | 2016 |
| Afghanistan | State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan | 2016 |
| Palestine | Grand Collar of the State of Palestine | 2018 |
| United Arab Emirates | Order of Zayed | 2019 |
| Russia | Order of St Andrew the Apostle | 2019 |
| Maldives | Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddeen | 2019 |
| Bahrain | King Hamad Order of the Renaissance (First Class) | 2019 |
| United States | Legion of Merit | 2020 |
| Bhutan | Order of the Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King) | 2021/2024 |
| Papua New Guinea | Grand Companion, Order of Logohu | 2023 |
| Fiji | Companion, Order of Fiji | 2023 |
| Palau | Ebakl Award | 2023 |
| Egypt | Order of the Nile | 2023 |
| France | Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour | 2023 |
| Greece | Grand Cross of the Order of Honour | 2023 |
| Dominica | Dominica Award of Honour | 2024 |
| Nigeria | Grand Commander, Order of the Niger | 2024 |
| Guyana | Order of Excellence | 2024 |
| Barbados | Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados | 2024 |
| Kuwait | Order of Mubarak Al‑Kabeer | Dec 2024 |
| Mauritius | Grand Commander, Order of the Star & Key of the Indian Ocean | Mar 2025 |
| Sri Lanka | Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana | Apr 2025 |
| Cyprus | Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III | June 16, 2025 |
| Ghana | Officer, Order of the Star of Ghana | July 2, 2025 |
| Trinidad & Tobago | Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago | July 4, 2025 |
| Brazil | Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross | July 8, 2025 |
| Namibia | Grand Collar, Order of the Welwitschia Mirabilis | July 9, 2025 |
Significance of These Honours:
Strategic Recognition: Many of these awards coincide with important bilateral deals, strategic partnerships, or cultural diplomacy efforts.
India’s Rising Global Profile: The honours reflect how India is increasingly viewed as a key player in global governance.
Soft Power Diplomacy: Through these recognitions, India strengthens its soft power footprint — especially in Africa, the Middle East, and Pacific nations.
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Historic Firsts:
First Indian PM to receive such a large number of top foreign honours.
First foreign recipient of Bhutan’s Order of the Druk Gyalpo and Mauritius’s Grand Commander title.
Only Indian leader honoured by countries as geopolitically diverse as France, Brazil, Namibia, and Fiji.
Here are the most recent highest civilian awards received by PM Narendra Modi:-
Ghana
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was given Ghana’s highest national honour called “The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana” during his visit to the country. This award is given to people who have shown great leadership and made important contributions globally. The award was presented by Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama. This award has also been given to famous leaders like Nelson Mandela and Queen Elizabeth II in the past. His visit to Ghana is historic because it’s the first time in 30 years that an Indian Prime Minister has visited the country.
Trinidad and Tobago
Prime Minister Modi was conferred with ‘The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago’, becoming the first foreign leader to receive the Caribbean nation’s highest civilian honour. At a special ceremony held at the President’s House, President Christine Carla Kangaloo presented the award in recognition of Modi’s statesmanship, his advocacy for the Global South, and his exceptional efforts in strengthening bilateral ties between India and Trinidad and Tobago.
Brazil
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Brazil’s highest civilian honour, ‘the Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross‘, by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The award recognises the Indian Prime Minister’s contributions to deepening bilateral ties and enhancing cooperation between India and Brazil on regional and global issues.
Namibia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Namibia’s highest civilian honour, the ‘Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis‘. This is the first visit of Prime Minister Modi to Namibia and the third-ever prime ministerial visit from India to the country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s international recognition through 27 prestigious awards is a remarkable chapter in India’s diplomatic history. These honours highlight his leadership, global influence, and India’s deeper ties with countries across the world.
