On Saturday, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake conferred the prestigious Mitra Vibhushana medal, Sri Lanka’s highest civilian honour for foreign leader on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recognizing his contribution to strengthening bilateral ties.
In his acceptance, PM Modi dedicated the honour to the 140 crore people of India, expressing gratitude to President Dissanayake, the Sri Lankan government, and its citizens. He stated the award reflects the historical and deep-rooted friendship between the two nations. The medal features rich symbolism: the Dharma Chakra signifies shared Buddhist heritage; the Pun Kalasa (ceremonial pot) with rice sheaves symbolizes prosperity; and the Navarathna (nine gems) reflects the enduring Indo-Lankan friendship, encased in a globe surrounded by lotus petals.
Additionally, the Sun and Moon etched on the medal represent a timeless bond, extending from ancient history to the future. The award captures the spiritual, cultural, and diplomatic connection that continues to unite India and Sri Lanka.
With Srilanka’s Highest Honour, the Indian Prime Minister has received a total of 15 highest award from foreign nations which is by far the highest number of highest civilian awards conferred to any Prime Minister or President of a state. Russian President Vladimir Putin with 6 highest civilian awards stands at the second position to Indian Prime Minister. Here is the list of other 14 highest civilian awards of other nations presented to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
1. Dominica Award of Honour
The Commonwealth of Dominica announced to confer its highest national award, the Dominica Award of Honour, on PM Modi.
2. Order of St. Andrew Award
On the 9th of July, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin honored the Indian Prime Minister with Russia’s highest national award at St. Andrew Hall in the Kremlin.
3. Order of the Druk Gyalpo
Bhutan’s highest civilian award was presented to Narendra Modi in March 2024 and thus he became the first foreign Head of Government to receive this award.
4. Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour
In July 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, France’s highest civilian and military distinction, from French President Emmanuel Macron.
5. Grand Cross of the Order of Honour
On August 25, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour by the President of Greece, H.E. Katerina N. Sakellaropoulou.
6. Order of Nile
In June 2023, the ‘Order of the Nile’ award which is Egypt’s highest state honor was given to PM Modi by the President of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
7. Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honored by the Governor General of Papua New Guinea Bob Dadae with the Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu (GCL), the highest civilian award of Papua New Guinea
8. Companion of the Order of Fiji
Fiji’s highest honor was bestowed by its Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka upon the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2023.
9. Rule of Nishan Izzuddeen
‘Rule of Nishan Izzuddeen’, the highest honor of Maldives was bestowed upon the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi by its President Ibrahim Mohamed in 2019.
10. Order of Zayed Award
In 2019, PM Narendra Modi was honored with the UAE’s highest civilian award ‘Order of Zayed’.
11. King Hamad Order of the Renaissance
In 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the King Hamad Order of the Renaissance by Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa.
12. Grand Collar of the State of Palestine Award
The President of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas in 2018 honored the Indian Prime Minister with the ‘Grand Collar of the State of Palestine’.
13. Amir Amanullah Khan Award
Afghanistan honored Prime Minister Modi with their country’s highest civilian honor, the Amir Amanullah Khan Award in 2016.
14. King Abdulaziz Sash
King Abdulaziz Sash was presented to Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz back in 2016.
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Here is the list of other Global leaders who have received the Highest civilian awards of other countries
Vladimir Putin (President of Russia)
1. Order of the Golden Eagle (Kazakhstan): The highest civilian honor of Kazakhstan.
2. Order of Zayed (United Arab Emirates): The highest civilian honor of the UAE.
3. King Abdulaziz Order (Saudi Arabia): The highest civilian honor of Saudi Arabia.
4. Order of José Martí (Cuba): The highest civilian honor of Cuba.
5. Order of the Liberator General San Martín (Argentina): The highest civilian honor of Argentina.
6. Order of the Nile (Egypt): The highest civilian honor of Egypt
Nelson Mandela (Former President of South Africa)
1. Bharat Ratna (India): The highest civilian honor of India.
2. Order of Canada (Canada): The highest civilian honor of Canada.
3. Presidential Medal of Freedom (USA): The highest civilian honor of the United States.
Barack Obama (Former President of the United States)
Order of King Abdulaziz (Saudi Arabia): The highest civilian honor of Saudi Arabia.
Xi Jinping (President of China)
Order of King Abdulaziz (Saudi Arabia): The highest civilian honor of Saudi Arabia.
Donald Trump ( President of the United States)
Order of King Abdulaziz (Saudi Arabia): The highest civilian honor of Saudi Arabia.
Imran Khan (Former Prime Minister of Pakistan)
Order of King Abdulaziz (Saudi Arabia): The highest civilian honor of Saudi Arabia.
Theresa May (Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom)
Order of King Abdulaziz (Saudi Arabia): The highest civilian honor of Saudi Arabia.
François Hollande (Former President of France)
1. Order of King Abdulaziz (Saudi Arabia): The highest civilian honor of Saudi Arabia.
Jacob Zuma (Former President of South Africa)
Order of King Abdulaziz (Saudi Arabia): The highest civilian honor of Saudi Arabia.
