PM Modi received the highest civilian honor in Bhutan, the first foreign head of state to receive the Order of the Druk Gyalpo.

Bhutan’s king on Friday conferred the Order of the Druk Gyalpo on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, becoming the first foreign head of government to receive Bhutan’s highest civilian honour. The Order of the Druk Gyalpo holds immense importance in Bhutan’s honors system, symbolizing a lifetime of outstanding achievements and contributions to society. The Order of the Druk Gyalpo takes precedence over all orders, decorations and medals. Since its inception, the award has been presented to only four eminent personalities.

Previous recipients of the award include Queen Grandmother Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck of Bhutan in 2008; Je Thrizur Tenzin Dendup (68th Je Khenpo of Bhutan) in 2008 and Je Khenpo Trulku Ngawang Jigme Choedra in 2018. Je Khenpo is the chief abbot of the central monastic body of Bhutan. The honor was announced by the King of Bhutan during the 114th National Day celebrations on December 17, 2021. On Friday, Prime Minister Modi received it during his two-day state visit, his third since taking charge as prime minister.

PM Modi wrote in a post on Instagram that I am grateful to the people of Bhutan, especially the youth, for the memorable welcome to their beautiful country. He also shared photos of his interactions with people from different walks of life in Bhutan. The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Friday that the visit is in line with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan and to emphasize the government’s ‘neighborhood first’ policy.