PM Modi Honored with Russia’s Highest Civilian Award; A Glimpse at Awards Conferred Globally

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the prestigious ‘Order of St. Andrew the Apostle’ from Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, honoring his significant contributions to strengthening India-Russia relations.

The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle was established in 1698 by Tsar Peter the Great to honor Saint Andrew, the first apostle of Jesus and Russia’s patron saint. This award, given in a single class, is reserved for exceptional civilian or military merit.

PM Modi has been honored with numerous high civilian awards from various countries. Here is a list of the awards he has received:

1. PAPUA NEW GUINEA — EBAKL AWARD: In 2023, during his visit to Papua New Guinea, President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. of the Republic of Palau awarded PM Modi the Ebakl Award.
2. FRANCE — GRAND CROSS OF THE LEGION OF HONOUR: In July 2023, French President Emmanuel Macron conferred upon PM Modi the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the highest French award.
3. EGYPT — ORDER OF NILE: In June 2023, PM Modi received the ‘Order of Nile,’ Egypt’s highest state honor, from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
4. BHUTAN — ORDER OF THE DRUK GYALPO: In December 2021, Bhutan awarded PM Modi the highest civilian decoration, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo.
5. UNITED STATES — LEGION OF MERIT: In 2020, the US Government awarded PM Modi the Legion of Merit, a prestigious award for exceptional service and achievements.
6. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — ORDER OF ZAYED AWARD: In 2019, PM Modi received the Order of Zayed Award, the UAE’s highest civilian honor.
7. RUSSIA — THE ORDER OF ST. ANDREW AWARD: In 2019, Russia honored PM Modi with the Order of St. Andrew Award, their highest civilian honor.
8. MALDIVES — ORDER OF THE DISTINGUISHED RULE OF NISHAN IZZUDDIN: In 2019, PM Modi was awarded the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddin, the Maldives’ highest honor for foreign dignitaries.
9. BAHRAIN — KING HAMAD ORDER OF THE RENAISSANCE: In 2019, PM Modi received the King Hamad Order of the Renaissance from Bahrain.
10. PALESTINE: During his historic visit to Palestine in 2018, PM Modi was awarded the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine Award, Palestine’s highest honor for foreign dignitaries.
11. SAUDI ARABIA — THE KING ABDULAZIZ SASH: In April 2016, King Salman bin Abdulaziz conferred upon PM Modi Saudi Arabia’s highest civilian honor, the King Abdulaziz Sash.
12. AFGHANISTAN: In 2016, Afghanistan honored PM Modi with the State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan, the highest civilian award of Afghanistan.