Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday was awarded with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the best of France’s civilian and navy honours. The award was introduced to PM Modi by President Emmanuel Macron following a non-public dinner hosted by the French chief on the Élysée Palace in Paris. PM Modi has thanked President Macron for this singular honour on behalf of the individuals of India, the exterior affairs ministry stated on Friday.
With this, PM Modi turns into the primary Indian PM to obtain this honour. The Legion of Honour, which was established by Napoleon Bonaparte, consists of 5 levels. PM Modi was awarded with the best, the Grand Cross. The ribbon is purple, and the badge includes a five-armed Maltese asterisk on an oak and laurel wreath.
“I thank President @EmmanuelMacron and Mrs. Macron for internet hosting me on the Élysée Palace this night,” Modi tweeted.
“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 individuals of India,” the Ministry of Exterior Affairs stated within the assertion.
MEA official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated the award as a “heat gesture” embodying the spirit of India-France partnership.
Taking to Twitter, he stated: “A heat gesture embodying the spirit of India-France partnership. PM @narendramodi conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the best award in France by President @EmmanuelMacron.”
Previously, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor has been obtained by choose outstanding leaders and eminent personalities from internationally. These embody the previous South African President Nelson Mandela, King Charles – the then Prince of Wales, Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Former UN Secretary-Normal Boutros Boutros-Ghali, amongst others.
PM Modi is in France for a two-day official go to. He was accorded a ceremonial welcome on the airport the place ne was welcomed by French PM Elisabeth Borne. He would be the visitor of honour on the Bastille Day parade in Paris on Friday.
Following his grand welcome, PM Modi reached the La Seine Musicale within the French capital to deal with the Indian group there.
Talking on the public gathering, the Indian prime minister highlighted the “unbreakable friendship between India and France”.
He stated: “I’ve visited France a number of occasions however this time my go to is particular. Tomorrow is France’s Nationwide Day and I congratulate the individuals of France. I thank the individuals of France for inviting me. At this time, the French PM obtained me on the airport and tomorrow I’ll attend the Nationwide Day parade with my good friend Emmanuel Macron. This can be a reflection of the unbreakable friendship between India and France.”
He added: “Individuals-to-people join is the strongest basis of the India-France partnership. India and France are tackling many challenges of the twenty first century. Due to this fact, at this significant time, the significance of the strategic partnership between our nations has elevated much more,” he stated.
