Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
MP Satnam Sandhu in RS: PM Modi receives 27 international honours, outshines all past PMs
Babushahi Bureau
New Delhi, August 2, 2025: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been honoured with prestigious international civilian awards and recognitions from 27 countries, including prestigious UN Champion of the Earth Award by United Nations, Order of Zayed by the United Arab Emirates, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour by France, Legion of Merit from USA to Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross from Brazil and Order of St Andrew the Apostle from Russia among others.
These honors symbolize his stature as a global leader for peace, prosperity, and inclusive growth.
This information was provided by the Ministry of External Affairs in response to a question asked by the Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Satnam Singh Sandhu, during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.
Rajya Sabha MP, Sandhu has sought the details on highest international civilian awards and foreign recognitions received by Prime Ministers of the country and significance of such recognitions in enhancing India’s global diplomatic presence.
Minister of External Affairs, Dr S Jaishankar, in a written reply submitted in the parliament stated, “Prime Ministers of India have received awards of 31 countries, the highest environmental award of the UN and the Olympic Order of International Olympic Committee (IOC). Conferring the awards on the Prime Ministers of India is a clear recognition of their statesmanship and leadership at bilateral, regional and global levels. It also reflects a recognition of India under PM’s leadership, including in giving voice to the Global South on the world stage, and approaching issues confronted by humanity through dialogue and diplomacy.”
In response to another question asked by Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Sandhu regarding details of ‘similar awards’ have been conferred upon any other Indian Prime Minister in the past.
Ministry of External Affairs replied that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi received international civilian awards and recognition from 27 nations in the last one decade - spanning from Asia to Africa and from Europe to the Americas (Latin & North America), as many as 8 Prime Ministers of India received 14 international awards in almost 6 decades.
With former Prime Ministers including Indira Gandhi receiving 5 international awards, Jawaharlal Nehru received 2, Atal Bihari Vajpayee received 2, Gulzarilal Nanda, IK Gujral, Manmohan Singh, Morarji Desai and Lal Bahadur Shastri all received 1 each international award from 1956 till 2015.
In 2025 alone, PM Modi was honoured with highest civilian awards from Namibia (Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis), Brazil (Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross), Trinidad and Tobago (Order of the Republic), and Ghana (Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana) among others.
Among the noteworthy international recognitions and awards conferred on PM Narendra Modi includes UN’s Champion of the Earth Award (2018) – United Nations' highest environmental accolade, recognizing Modi's efforts in promoting renewable energy and sustainable development. Order of St Andrew the Apostle (Russia, announced in 2019) – Russia’s highest order bestowed for exceptional service to promoting strategic partnership. Order of King Abdulaziz (Saudi Arabia, 2016) – One of Saudi Arabia's top civilian honours.
Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Satnam Singh Sandhu said, “The international awards and recognitions conferred upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi by 27 nations across the world are a clear reflection of the global admiration for his visionary leadership and a clear reflection of India’s growing influence in international affairs. In stark contrast to the six decades preceding 2015, the unprecedented scale of international honours bestowed upon a sitting Indian Prime Minister underscores India’s emergence as a global leader, its growing diplomatic heft and its stature as a responsible power actively contributing to global peace, economic cooperation and sustainable development.
Sandhu added, “It also reflects a recognition of India under PM Modi’s leadership that includes giving voice to the Global South on the world stage and approaching issues confronted by humanity through dialogue and diplomacy. These awards show how his visionary leadership and diplomatic work have helped improve India’s image globally. Under his leadership, India has built stronger ties with other nations and promoted peace and cooperation. His contributions to global cooperation and foreign policy have been widely appreciated.”