New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who celebrates his 75th birthday on Wednesday, is the first Indian prime minister to have been conferred with 29 international awards, including several presented to him during his foreign trips in July and June this year.
Here is a list of the awards conferred on PM Modi since he took office in May 2014:
• July 9, 2025: Conferred with Namibia’s highest civilian award, the ‘Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis’, during his visit to Namibia. The award was presented by Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at a formal ceremony in Windhoek. It was the first time an Indian leader received this award. The award was given in recognition of PM Modi's contributions to strengthening bilateral ties and for his role in social and economic development and promoting peace and justice globally.
• On July 8, 2025: Conferred with Brazil’s highest civilian award, the Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross. The honour was presented by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in recognition of PM Modi’s notable contributions to strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing India-Brazil cooperation across key global platforms.
• On July 4, 2025: Conferred the Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, becoming the first foreign leader to receive the Caribbean country’s highest civilian honour. It was presented by President Christine Carla Kangaloo, during a ceremony at the President's House in Port of Spain. The award was given in recognition of his statesmanship, his advocacy for the Global South, and his exceptional contribution to strengthening the relationship between India and Trinidad and Tobago.
• July 2, 2025: Conferred with the Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana, the country’s national honour, by President John Dramani Mahama, and given in recognition of PM Modi's "distinguished statesmanship and influential global leadership".
• June 16, 2025: Conferred the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III of Cyprus, the country’s highest civilian honour, by Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides during a formal ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia. The award was given in recognition of PM Modi's contributions to strengthening bilateral ties between India and Cyprus.
• April 5, 2025 : Conferred the ‘Mithra Vibhushana’ award by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, during PM Modi's state visit to Sri Lanka. The award was in recognition for his "enduring contribution to strengthening India-Sri Lanka friendship". It is the first time an Indian leader has received the prestigious award.
• March 12, 2025: Conferred Mauritius’ highest honour — the ‘Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean’, during the 57th National Day celebrations of Mauritius. Presented by President of Mauritius Dharambeer Gokhool.
• March 6, 2025: Conferred Honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados in recognition of his leadership and assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The award was announced in November 2024 and presented in March 2025. Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, accepted the award on Modi's behalf in March 2025.
• December 22, 2024: Kuwait conferred its highest honour — The Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer. It was presented by the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, at the Bayan Palace. PM Modi’s visit was the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Kuwait in 43 years.
• November 20, 2024: Conferred The Order of Excellence, the highest national award of Guyana, during his state visit to Guyana. It was presented by President Mohamed Irfaan Ali.
• November 20, 2024: Dominica Award of Honour, the highest national award of the Dominican Republic. It was presented by President Sylvanie Burton on the sidelines of the Second India-CARICOM Summit held in Georgetown, Guyana.
• November 17, 2024: Conferred The Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger, Nigeria’s national award, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during PM Modi's official visit to Nigeria. PM Modi was the second foreign dignitary to receive the honour.
• July 9, 2024: Conferred Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Russia's highest state award. The award was presented by Russian President Vladimir Putin in recognition of PM Modi’s exceptional contribution to fostering India-Russia relations. The Russian government had initially announced the award for PM Modi in April 2019.
• March 22, 2024: Conferred Bhutan’s highest civilian award, the ‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo’, making PM Modi the first foreign Head of the government to receive the honour. The award was initially announced by Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in December 2021. The King personally conferred the award on PM Modi during a public ceremony in Thimphu as part of his state visit to Bhutan. The award recognized PM Modi's significant contribution to strengthening the friendship between India and Bhutan and his people-centric leadership. The citation also acknowledged India's rise as a global power under his leadership.
• August 25, 2023: Conferred the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour by Greek President Katerina, during PM Modi's official visit to Greece. PM Modi was the first foreign Head of Government to receive this specific honor from Greece.
• July 13, 2023: The Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the highest honour of France. French President Emmanuel Macron conferred the honour on PM Modi in a ceremony at the Élysée Palace in Paris, during PM Modi's official visit to France.
• June 25, 2023: Conferred the Order of the Nile, Egypt’s highest honour by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during his state visit to Egypt. PM Modi is the first Indian to receive this award. The award was in recognition of PM Modi's contributions to strengthening relations between India and Egypt, and his focus on serving humanity.
• May 22, 2023: Conferred Companion of the Order of Logohu by Papua New Guinea by Governor-General of Papua New Guinea Sir Bob Dadae, during PM Modi's maiden visit to the country. The award recognized PM Modi's leadership in championing the cause of unity among Pacific Island countries and spearheading the cause of the Global South.
• May 22, 2023: Conferred Companion of the Order of Fiji, the country’s highest award, by Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, on the sidelines of the third Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) summit, which PM Modi was attending in Papua New Guinea.
• May 22, 2023: Conferred with the Ebakl Award by Palau. It was presented by the President of the Republic of Palau, Surangel S. Whipps, Jr, on the sidelines of the FIPIC summit in Papua New Guinea, in recognition of PM Modi’s efforts to foster relations between India and the Pacific Island countries.
• December 21, 2020: Conferred the Legion of Merit by the US government that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements, during President Donald Trump’s first term. The award was received on behalf of PM Modi by the Indian Ambassador to the United States. PM Modi was recognized for his "steadfast leadership and vision for India’s emergence as a global power" and for his "exemplary contribution" to the advancement of the U.S.-India strategic partnership.
• August 24, 2019: Conferred the Order of Zayed, the UAE’s highest civilian award by Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, during PM Modi's official visit to the UAE. The award had been announced in April 2019, prior to PM Modi's re-election.
• August 24, 2019: Conferred, ‘The King Hamad Order of the Renaissance’, the highest honour of Bahrain, by the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, during his visit to Bahrain. The award recognized PM Modi's efforts to strengthen relations between India and Bahrain.
• June 8, 2019: Conferred Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddin, Maldives’ highest honour, by then-President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, during PM Modi’s official visit to the country. The honor was given for PM Modi's distinguished services and his leadership in strengthening bilateral relations between India and the Maldives.
• February 22, 2019: Conferred the Seoul Peace Prize for 2018 for his contribution to international cooperation and fostering global economic growth, during his visit to the Republic of Korea. The Award Committee recognized PM Modi's contributions to the growth of the Indian and global economies, crediting 'Modinomics' for reducing social and economic disparity between the rich and the poor. The Seoul Peace Prize was established in 1990 to commemorate the success of the 24th Olympic Games held in Seoul.
• October 3, 2018: Conferred the Champions of the Earth award by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at a special ceremony in New Delhi. The award was jointly given to PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron. The UN recognized PM Modi's and Macron's pioneering work in championing the International Solar Alliance. It also mentioned PM Modi’s efforts to ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ - including an ambitious pledge to eliminate all single-use plastic in the country by 2022”. The award had been announced on September 26, 2018, on the sidelines of the 73rd UN General Assembly in New York.
• February 10, 2018: Conferred the ‘Grand Collar of the State of Palestine’ by President Mahmoud Abbas, during his official visit to Palestine. It marked the first time an Indian Prime Minister had made an official visit to Palestine. The award recognised PM Modi’s key contribution to promote relations between India and Palestine.
• June 4, 2016 : Conferred the Amir Amanullah Khan Award, Afghanistan’s highest civilian honour, by then Afghan President Ashraf Ghani after the inauguration of the landmark Afghan-India Friendship Dam in Herat. The award recognized PM Modi's and India's significant contributions to strengthening the ties with Afghanistan. The award is named after the Afghan national hero, Amanullah Khan (Ghazi), who championed the cause of Afghanistan’s freedom.
• April 3, 2016: Conferred the Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s highest civilian honour, by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the Royal Court in Riyadh, during PM Modi's official visit to Saudi Arabia. The award was in recognition of PM Modi's efforts to expand India's relations in the Gulf region and elevate the bilateral ties with Saudi Arabia. The award is named after Abdulaziz Al Saud, the founder of the modern Saudi state.
