Trump presents Modi with top US honor 'Legion of Merit'
Taranjit Singh Sandhu, India's Ambassador to the US, accepted the award on behalf of Modi.
For his leadership in elevating strategic partnership between India and the United States and for India's emergence as a global power, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi was presented with the prestigious 'Legion of Merit' award on Monday, reports New Delhi Television Ltd. (NDTV).
Taranjit Singh Sandhu, India's Ambassador to the US, accepted the award on behalf of Modi.
US National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien presented the word at the White House.
In a tweet, O'Brien said, "President Trump presented the Legion of Merit to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership in elevating the US-India strategic partnership."
The award is only given to the Head of State or Government.
He was given the award in recognition of his steadfast leadership and vision that has accelerated India's emergence as a global power and elevated the strategic partnership between the United States and India to address global challenges.
Mr O'Brien in another tweet said that Trump also presented the Legion of Merit to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
The awards were received by their respective ambassadors in Washington DC.
The United States is the latest country to confer its highest award to the prime minister.
Other awards include Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud by Saudi Arabia in 2016, State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan (2016), Grand Collar of the State of Palestine Award (2018), Order of Zayed Award by United Arab Emirates (2019), Order of St Andrew by Russia (2019), Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddin by Maldives (2019).