Why PM Modi is getting Bhutan’s highest civilian honor

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (December 17) was conferred with Bhutan’s highest civilian honor, that is, the Ngadag Pel gi Khorlo Award. Head of state of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, emphasized India’s “unconditional friendship” and support for Bhutan over the years, particularly during the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic as the reason for the honor.

Bhutan was celebrating its National Day and PM Modi took to Twitter to thank Wangchuck for the civilian decoration. PM Modi tweeted, “I have been privileged to receive the utmost love and affection from our Bhutanese brothers and sisters, and take this occasion to convey my greetings to all of them on the auspicious occasion of the National Day of Bhutan,”

He further added, “I admire Bhutan for its unique model of sustainable development and the deeply spiritual way of life. Successive Druk Gyalpos – Their Majesties the Kings – have given a unique identity to the Kingdom, and nurtured the special bond of neighbourly friendship that our nations share,”

Meanwhile, the Bhutanese PM also wished PM Modi by tweeting, “Overjoyed to hear His Majesty pronounce Your Excellency Modiji’s @narendramodi name for the highest civilian decoration, Order of the Druk Gyalpo”

First foreign head of state to be conferred with the honor:

PM Modi is the first foreign head to receive Bhutan’s highest civilian order and it has been made possible due to India’s generosity in helping the neighbors during the tumultuous Covid-19 period.

As reported by TFI, Bhutan had become the first country to receive India’s gift of COVID-19 vaccines while the vaccination had just started in India. On January 20, an Indian Airforce AN-32 aircraft delivered the first consignment of 150,000 doses of Serum Institute’s Covishield vaccines to Bhutan. By March 21, New Delhi had sent 5,50,000 Covishield doses to Bhutan.

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Additionally, India has been actively investing in Bhutan to build the hydroelectric power plant system. New Delhi has so far constructed four Hydroelectric Projects in Bhutan including the 60 MW Kurichhu HEP; 1020 MW Tala HEP; the 336 MW Chukha HEP; and the 720 MW Mangdechhu HEP.

The Mangdechhu plant even won the prestigious Brunel Medal last year, cementing the success of the project. Moreover, three other Hydro-power plants are in the works with the 600 MW Kholongchhu being developed in the easternmost tip of Bhutan.

Bhutan and India have been friends for decades and the intrusion of Chinese PLA forces in Bhutan has only brought the two nations closer. Both are actively working to thwart the Chinese threat. The honor establishes that Bhutan looks up to India to help in its development journey and provide security from notorious neighbors.

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PM Modi was earlier conferred Russia’s highest civilian honour the ‘Order of St. Andrew’ award in 2019. In the same year, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) conferred him with its highest civilian honour—‘Order of Zayed Award’. This goes on to prove that PM Modi is not only appreciated and respected in India, but in the global spectrum as well.