Finance
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, France’s highest award today by H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic of France.
Prime Minister thanked President Macron for this singular honour on behalf of the people of India.
The award ceremony took place at the Elysee Palace in Paris.
“A warm gesture embodying the spirit of Indo-French partnership. PM Narendra Modi conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the highest award in France by President Emmanuel Macron,” the Ministry of External Affairs said on Twitter.
According to the official website, the Legion of Honor is the reward for “outstanding merit acquired in the service of the nation in a civilian or military capacity”.
“Foreigners may be decorated with the Legion of Honor if they have rendered services (e.g. cultural or economic) to France or supported causes defended by France, such as human rights, freedom of the press, or humanitarian action. State visits are also an occasion for conferring the Legion of Honor upon official figures, pursuant to diplomatic reciprocity and thereby supporting the foreign policy of France,” as per the award criteria.
PM Modi is in France for a two-day state visit and will be the Guest of Honor at the French National Day (Bastille Day) ceremonies on Friday. When he arrived in Paris on Thursday evening (India time), he met with France’s Senate leader, spoke with his French counterpart Elizabeth Borne, and addressed a gathering of the Indian diaspora at the famed performing arts center La Seine Musicale, before attending a private dinner with Macron and his wife Brigette Macron at their official residence of Elysee Palace.
Source:IE
