Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be awarded Ngadag Pel gi Khorlo or the Order of The Druk Gyalpo, the highest civilian decoration conferred by the Kingdom of Bhutan for the unconditional friendship and support extended over the years and particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Modi is the first foreigner to receive the coveted award. Modi had earlier been recipients of highest civilian honours in Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, UAE, Palestine, Bahrain, Maldives and Russia. He also received the Legion of Merit by the US Government in 2020.
“Overjoyed to hear His Majesty pronounce Your Excellency Modiji’s @narendramodi name for the highest civilian decoration, Ngadag Pel gi Khorlo,” Prime Minister of Bhutan Lotay Tshering tweeted on December 17, 2021, the country’s National Day.
Modi thanked Bhutan’s king for according the country’s highest civilian decoration on him, and said India will always cherish the country as one of its closest friends and neighbours and will continue to support its development journey in every possible way. The PM tweeted that he admires Bhutan for its unique model of sustainable development and the deeply spiritual way of life. “Successive Druk Gyalpos — Their Majesties the Kings — have given a unique identity to the Kingdom, and nurtured the special bond of neigbhourly friendship that our nations share,” he said
The Ngadag Pel gi Khorlo is being awarded to Prime Minister Modi for the unconditional friendship and support extended over the years and particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a Facebook post, the PMO Bhutan said, “HM 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.”
The award, established in 2008, comes with a Breast Star and Sash Badge. It honours those who have dedicated their lives to serving Bhutan’s nation and people. Her Majesty Queen Grandmother Ashi Kesang Choden, His Holiness Je Thrizur Tenzin Dendup, and His Holiness Je Khenpo Trulku Ngawang Jigme Choedra have been the previous recipients.