Thimphu: In recognition of his efforts to strengthen India-Bhutan ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Friday conferred the kingdom’s highest civilian award, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, which he dedicated to 140 crore Indians.
PM Modi was presented the award by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at a ceremony in Tendrelthang, Thimphu, becoming the first foreign leader to be given the kingdom’s highest honour.
Expressing that it is honoured that “a statesman of such stature is a true friend” of the kingdom’s people, Bhutan said that “Prime Minister Modi is a firm supporter of the country’s national vision to achieve self-reliance and become a developed nation”.
“The award recognises His Excellency Prime Minister Modi’s personal accomplishments and leadership, and his contributions to strengthen the bonds of friendship between India and Bhutan,” the award citation read.
The award also honoured India’s rise as a global power under PM Modi’s leadership and celebrated Bhutan’s special bond with India.
The citation described PM Modi as an outstanding embodiment of national, regional, and global leadership, under whom India has become the fastest-growing economy in the world and will be the third-largest economy by 2030.
It added that PM Modi’s Neighbourhood First policy has strengthened South Asia, and paved the way for collective progress.
“Prime Minister Modi’s friendship and support for all of Bhutan’s objectives and initiatives have made our bonds stronger than ever,” the citation added.
After receiving the award, PM Modi underlined that the award was an honour bestowed on the people of Bharat and a testament to the excellent state of bilateral ties between the two countries.
“Honoured to be conferred with ‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo’ Award by Bhutan. I dedicate it to 140 crore Indians,” PM Modi wrote on X.
Bhutan’s King had announced the conferment of the award during country’s 114th National Day celebrations held at the Tashichhodzong, Thimphu in December 2021.
As per ranking and precedence established, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo was instituted as the decoration for lifetime achievement and is the pinnacle of the honor system in Bhutan, taking precedence over all orders, decorations and medals.
Since its institution, the award has been conferred upon only four people.
Previous recipients of the award include Her Majesty Royal Queen Grandmother Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck in 2008; His Holiness Je Thrizur Tenzin Dendup (68th Je Khenpo of Bhutan) in 2008 and His Holiness Je Khenpo Trulku Ngawang Jigme Choedra in 2018. Je Khenpo is the Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan.
IANS
Indian stock markets will break all records on June 4: PM Modi
New Delhi: Once the Lok Sabha election results are declared on June 4, the Indian stock markets will break all previous records, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday. In...
Spoof video on Sonia & Rahul recalling century old ties with Amethi and Raebareli goes viral
New Delhi: While Amethi and Raebareli, the long-held bastions of Gandhi family, gear up for polling on Monday, a spoof video on the Gandhis has taken the social media by...
Three transgenders found dead in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool
Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh): Three transgenders were found dead under suspicious circumstances near Kurnool town on Sunday. Local residents found two bodies in a lake at Gargeyapuram near the town and...
‘All Indian students safe, situation normal in Bishkek’
Bishkek: The Embassy of India in Kyrgyzstan said on Sunday that all Indian students are safe as the situation in Bishkek remains normal after incidents of mob violence, mainly involving...
US warns of possible terror threat to LGBTQI+ community
Washington: The US government is calling on its citizens to be vigilant due to possible terrorist attacks against the LGBTQI+ community worldwide. "Due to the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations,...
North Korea says it test-fired tactical ballistic missile with new guidance technology
Seoul: North Korea said it has test-fired a tactical ballistic missile equipped with a new "autonomous" navigation system in a bid to advance its weapons capabilities. The North's leader, Kim...
Biden’s security adviser to visit Saudi Arabia, Israel for talks
Washington: US President Joe Biden's security adviser Jake Sullivan is to travel to Saudi Arabia and Israel this weekend. National Security Council Communications Director John Kirby announced in Washington on...
NCW affixes notice for hearing at residence of CM Kejriwal’s PS
New Delhi: The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Friday pasted a notice at the residence of Bibhav Kumar, the personal secretary of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, after his family...
Pulled my shirt up, punched me in chest and stomach: Chilling details in Swati Maliwal’s FIR
New Delhi: Swati Maliwal, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha member on Friday formally lodged a complaint with Delhi Police, revealing the extent of harassment and torture she faced...
Darul Uloom Deoband prohibits entry of women on campus
Saharanpur: Islamic seminary, Darul Uloom in Deoband, has prohibited the entry of women on its campus. Officials said on Friday that the decision was taken because females used to come...
Up to 2,000 gallons oil may spill into Gulf of Mexico as barge hits bridge in US
Houston: Up to 2,000 gallons of oil may have spilt into the Gulf of Mexico after a bunker barge struck a bridge in the island city of Galveston, eastern Texas,...
Govt slashes prices of 41 medicines
New Delhi: The government has reduced the prices of 41 commonly used medicines and six formulations used to treat diseases such as diabetes, heart and liver ailments. Antacids, multivitamins, and...
