Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on an official visit to France, has been conferred with the country’s highest honour, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, by French President Emmanuel Macron.
“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,” the Ministry of External Affairs said on Twitter.
According to the official website, the Legion of Honor is the reward for “outstanding merit acquired in the service of the nation in a civilian or military capacity”.
“Foreigners may be decorated with the Legion of Honor if they have rendered services (e.g. cultural or economic) to France or supported causes defended by France, such as human rights, freedom of the press, or humanitarian action. State visits are also an occasion for conferring the Legion of Honor upon official figures, pursuant to diplomatic reciprocity and thereby supporting the foreign policy of France,” as per the award criteria.
PM Modi is on a two-day state visit to France, and will be the Guest of Honour in Friday’s French National Day (Bastille Day) celebrations. On arriving in Paris on Thursday evening (India time), he had met with France’s Senate leader, held talks with his French counterpart Elizabeth Borne and addressed a meeting of the Indian diaspora at the famed performing arts centre La Seine Musicale, before attending a private dinner with Macron and his wife Brigette Macron at their official residence of Elysee Palace in Paris.
