PM Modi has been conferred with France’s highest honour, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, by the French President Emmanuel Macron. PM Modi was on an official visit to France to attend Bastille day in Paris and strengthening defense ties with France.
“A warm gesture embodying the spirit of Indo-French partnership. PM Narendra Modi conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the highest award in France by President Emmanuel Macron,” said Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs of India.
PM Modi has joined the ranks of the other rare world leaders who have been conferred with the same award by France.
What is Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour?
The Legion of Honour is the apex French decoration given to the most deserving citizens in all fields of activity. Over the period of past two centuries it has been conferred to many prominent personalities including Nelson Mandela, King Charles and Angela Markel.
It was established by former French ruler Napolean Bonaparte in 1802. The Legion of Honour is divided into five degrees - Knight, Officer, Commander, Grand Officer and Grand Cross (in lower to higher order). However, PM Modi was awarded the fifth award, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour.
The ribbon of the award is red in color and the badge is a five-armed Maltese asterisk hung on an oak and laurel wreath. On the obverse is the effigy of the Republic and on the reverse two tricolor flags surrounded by the motto ‘Honor and Fatherland’ written in French, according to the official website.
Can only French nationals be conferred with this award?
The membership to the Legion of Honour is restricted to French nationals, foreign nationals who serve France or uphold its ideals are eligible for this distinction of the Legion. France decorates around 300 foreign nationals with this honour every year.
Other prominent personalities bearing the title
Various personalities have been awarded the Legion of Honour award across the world. Some of the personalities who received this honour include former South African President Nelson Mandela, King Charles - the then Prince of Wales, Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Former United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Indian PM Narendra Modi.
The Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour was yet another award in a series of top international awards and honours bestowed by various countries on PM Modi.
