What Is Order Of The Druk Gyalpo? Bhutan's Highest Civilian Honour Bestowed Upon PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Bhutan’s highest civilian honour, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, on Friday. He was awarded by the King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, during his state visit to the country.

Expressing gratitude, Modi said, “Honoured to be conferred with ‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo’ Award by Bhutan. I dedicate it to 140 crore Indians.” This award was first announced in December 2021 during Bhutan’s National Day.

READ MORE: ‘I Dedicate It To 140 Crore Indians’: PM Modi Becomes First Foreign Leader To Receive Bhutan’s Top Civilian Honour

What Is Order of the Druk Gyalpo

The Order of the Druk Gyalpo stands as Bhutan’s most esteemed civilian accolade, reserved for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional contributions to society, embodying values of service, integrity, and leadership.

Instituted as a decoration for lifetime achievement, this honour holds paramount importance in the Himalayan Kingdom. Recipients of this prestigious award are carefully selected based on their outstanding accomplishments and positive impact on society. Their contributions are assessed in alignment with Bhutanese values, emphasising holistic development, cultural preservation, and regional harmony.

Why Was Modi Awarded?

PM Modi’s selection as the first foreign Head of Government to receive this honour underlined the strong bilateral ties between the two countries. The citation accompanying Modi’s award underlines his leadership, characterised by an unwavering commitment to progress, which aligns closely with Bhutan’s national vision of achieving self-reliance.

“Narendra Modi is an outstanding embodiment of national, regional, and global leadership. Under him, India has become the fastest growing economy in the world and will be the third largest economy by 2030, according to a citation on the award conferred to PM.

“Prime Minister Modi has emerged as a figure of destiny, transforming the ancient civilisation of India into a dynamic centre of technology and innovation. His commitment to safeguard the environment and invest in renewable energy makes India’s progress truly well rounded. Prime Minister Modi’s leadership has set India on the path of transformation, and India’s moral authority and global influence have grown,” it adds.

Modi’s Achievements — Neighbourhood First policy

It also refers to how PM Modi’s Neighbourhood First policy has strengthened South Asia and paved the way for collective progress. “Bhutan is honoured that a statesman of such stature is a true friend of the Bhutanese people. Prime Minister Modi is a firm supporter of Bhutan’s national vision to achieve self-reliance and become a developed nation,” the citation adds.

Highlighting Bhutan-India relations as exemplary, it appreacites Prime Minister Modi’s friendship and support for all of Bhutan’s objectives and initiatives. “This award recognises Prime Minister Modi’s personal accomplishments and leadership, and his contributions to strengthen the bonds of friendship between India and Bhutan. It also honours India’s rise as a global power under his leadership, and celebrates Bhutan’s special bond with India,” it adds.