Thimphu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the prestigious Order of the Druk Gyalpo, Bhutan’s highest civilian decoration, by His Majesty the King of Bhutan. The ceremony, held at the Tendrelthang in Thimphu, marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations, with Prime Minister Modi becoming the first foreign leader to receive this esteemed honour.
The announcement of the conferment of the Order of the Druk Gyalpo was made by His Majesty the King of Bhutan during Bhutan’s 114th National Day celebrations at the Tashichhodzong in December 2021. The award recognizes Prime Minister Modi’s unwavering commitment to strengthening the enduring bond between India and Bhutan and his exemplary leadership dedicated to the welfare of his people. The citation accompanying the award also lauded Prime Minister Modi for India’s remarkable rise as a global power under his stewardship and celebrated the special and deeply cherished relationship between Bhutan and India.
In his remarks following the conferral of the award, Prime Minister Modi expressed his profound gratitude and emphasized that the honor was a tribute to the 1.4 billion people of Bharat, reflecting the exceptional and unparalleled ties between India and Bhutan. He reiterated the commitment of both nations to further deepening their longstanding friendship and collaboration across various domains for the mutual benefit of their peoples.
The Order of the Druk Gyalpo holds immense significance in Bhutanese culture and tradition, symbolizing the highest recognition of lifetime achievement. Established as the pinnacle of the honor system in Bhutan, it takes precedence over all other orders, decorations, and medals, underscoring the exceptional stature accorded to Prime Minister Modi by the Kingdom of Bhutan.