US President Donald Trump has conferred the Legion of Merit, one of the United States’ highest military honors, on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “exceptionally meritorious service” as the leader of India.
The Legion of Merit, commander-in-chief degree, was awarded to Modi on Trump’s behalf on Monday. The medal is rarely awarded and can only be awarded by the President of the United States. Usually it is given to heads of state or government.
The award was received on behalf of the Prime Minister by the Indian Ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu. In the same ceremony on Monday, the Legion of Merit, Commander-in-Chief Title, was also awarded to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Trump had previously awarded the Legion of Merit, Degree in Commander-in-Chief, to Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait on September 18. Before that, the medal was last awarded in 1991.
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The Legion of Merit, Commander-in-Chief of Degree, is a domed American white five-pointed star plaque of heraldic shape and is edged with purplish-red enamel, with 13 white stars in a blue field emerging from a circle of clouds. Behind the star is a laurel wreath with outward-pointing pierced crossed arrows between each arm of the star and the crown. The reverse is engraved with the words “United States of America”.
The mention for the award given to Modi indicated that he was being awarded “for exceptionally meritorious service as Prime Minister of the Republic of India from May 2014 to August 2020.”
“Modi’s steadfast leadership and vision have accelerated India’s emergence as a world power and elevated the strategic partnership between the United States and India to address global challenges,” he said.
His “personal commitment expanded ties between the United States and India in all facets of the relationship, helping to establish a solid foundation for an enduring partnership that is based on a shared commitment to freedom, democratic principles, equal treatment of all citizens and the rule of law. ”
The quote described India as a “key partner for the United States in the Indo-Pacific, where the two countries are increasing collaboration to ensure freedom of the seas, open and transparent investment and infrastructure development, secure digital networks and trustworthy and good governance. ” ”.
He added that Modi’s “personal initiative strengthened the defense partnership between the United States and India, enhancing the United States’ ability to ensure joint military cooperation that addresses shared challenges. His efforts to expand India’s economic cooperation with the United States have boosted prosperity, investment and job creation in both countries. ”
The quote also stated that “Modi’s superior effort, personal leadership, and unwavering commitment to promoting strategic cooperation between the United States and India and promoting world peace and prosperity reflect a great credit to him, the Indian armed forces. and your country ”.
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