Our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has made history by becoming the most internationally honoured Indian leader, receiving a record 25 state honours from foreign governments as of July 2025. This is a milestone that not only reflects Narendra Modi international recognition but also indicates that India’s acceptance as a major global power is on the rise.
Since Modi ji took office in 2014, he has been highly active in engaging with world leaders, making diplomacy a hallmark of his tenure. In the last ten years alone, he has been the recipient of the highest civilian honors of no less than a heterogeneous selection of countries including Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, and the United States, as well as France, Egypt, Mauritius and Ghana. Most of the titles are also the first ever to be awarded to any Indian leader among others such as the Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago and the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean by Mauritius.
His latest honors “The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana” and “The Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago” marks him as the greatest leader of India. On X, Modi ji posted his awarding moment at Trinida & Tobago saying, “Honoured to be conferred with ‘The Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago’. I accept it on behalf of 140 crore Indians.”
He also posted some of the pictures from the ceremony expressing his gratitude. The post said, “I express my heartfelt gratitude to President Christine Carla Kangaloo, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the Government and wonderful people of Trinidad & Tobago for honouring me with ‘The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.’ This honour symbolises the eternal friendship between our two countries. At every step, one can witness the cultural connection between our nations.” He also said, “I’m very honoured that this is the first time this honour has been conferred upon a foreign leader. This recognition will strengthen our resolve to deepen ties with Trinidad & Tobago.”
Narendra Modi international honours
Year |
Honour |
Country |
2016 |
Order of King Abdulaziz Al Saud |
Saudi Arabia |
2016 |
State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan |
Afghanistan |
2018 |
Grand Collar of the State of Palestine |
Palestine |
2019 |
Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddin |
Maldives |
2019 |
Order of Zayed |
UAE |
2019 |
King Hamad Order of the Renaissance |
Bahrain |
2020 |
Legion of Merit |
United States |
2023 |
Order of Fiji |
Fiji |
2023 |
Order of Logohu |
Papua New Guinea |
2023 |
Order of the Nile |
Egypt |
2023 |
Legion of Honour (Légion d'honneur) |
France |
2023 |
Order of Honour |
Greece |
2024 |
Order of the Dragon King |
Bhutan |
2024 |
Order of St. Andrew |
Russia |
2024 |
Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer |
Kuwait |
2024 |
Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger |
Nigeria |
2024 |
Dominica Award of Honour |
Dominica |
2024 |
Order of Excellence of Guyana |
Guyana |
2024 |
Order of Freedom of Barbados |
Barbados |
2025 |
Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean |
Mauritius |
2025 |
Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana |
Sri Lanka |
2025 |
Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III |
Cyprus |
2025 |
The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana |
Ghana |
2025 |
Order of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago |
Trinidad & Tobago |
2025 |
Ebakl Award |
Palau |
The international accolades given to Modi are not the mere decorations; rather they are the recognition of his proactive diplomacy, visionary and capacity to form bridges across cultures and continents. Most of these awards have come from Muslim majority states which highlight his skills of negotiating across geopolitical domains and cementing India's ties in areas which were previously not close to India.
He has repeatedly dedicated these awards to the people of India, describing himself as the Pradhan Sevak (chief servant) of 1.4 billion Indians and depicting his success as a product of the national dreams of the country. Keeping his head home is a strategy that appeals to the Indian populace and is a plus to his personality as a leader who takes pride in the role of representing his nation in the global arena.
The Impact: India, A Rise To a World Stage
- The international recognition of Modi is multi-dimensional:
- Diplomatic leverage: every award enhances bilateral relations and creates new horizons of collaboration in the field of trade, technology, security, and culture.
- Soft Power: These awards increase the attraction to India in terms of soft power which makes the nation more appealing as a partner and place of investment and collaboration.
- National Pride: The fact that Modi has been celebrated worldwide is a matter of immense pride to the Indians and should only enhance the concept of a Vikshit Bharat (Developed India) and give them the confidence to be at the world map.
- Strategic Partnerships: The awards frequently accompany some significant diplomatic moves, collaborative endeavors, and human-to-human interactions, and symbolic rewards can be turned into concrete gains.
As long as Modi ji maintains a global appeal, his legacy is likely to be defined by his role in elevating India’s international standing. These awards are not only in recognition of his leadership but also the transition of India to become a dominant figure in global politics. To Indians, it marks a new era in which their country has a voice, is respected, and its contributions are acknowledged. Keeping aside the internal political views, the country can accept that Modi ji as our PM is doing his job aptly.