PM Modi honoured with Order of the Druk Gyalpo – Bhutan’s highest civilian award

Bhutan has conferred its highest civilian award the “Order of the Druk Gyalpo”, also known as “Ngadag Pel gi Khorlo”, on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering said on Friday that he was “overjoyed” to hear “His Majesty pronounce Your Excellency Modiji’s (Narendra Modi) name for the highest civilian decoration, Order of the Druk Gyalpo”.

The announcement of the award coincided with Bhutan’s 114th national day.

“HM (His Majesty the King of Bhutan) highlighted all the unconditional friendship and support Modiji extended over the years and particularly during pandemic. Much deserving! Congratulations from the people of Bhutan. In all interactions, seen Your Excellency as a great, spiritual human being. Looking forward to celebrating the honour in person,” Tshering’s office said in a post on Facebook.

India and Bhutan share close ties, especially in the economic and defence sectors.

This would be the latest of awards to be conferred on Modi by other countries. Last year, he received the ‘Legion of Merit by the US Government’ award of the US Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. In 2019, Russia conferred its highest civilian honour ‘Order of St. Andrew’ award on Modi.