Bhubaneswar, Mar 22: Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday said that the conferment of the Order of the Druk Gaylpo, Bhutan’s highest civilian decoration, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a matter of great pride for over 140 crore Indians.

Pradhan also expressed gratitude to Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the government and the people of Bhutan for conferring the kingdom's highest civilian award to PM Modi.

The Union Minister retweeted the X post of PM Modi and wrote: "Conferment of the Order of the Druk Gaylpo, Bhutan’s highest civilian decoration, to Hon. PM Narendra Modi is a matter of great pride for 140 crore+ Indians. A first for any foreign leader, this prestigious honour is a testament to the warm, friendly and longstanding India-Bhutan friendship as well as India’s commitment to Bhutan’s developmental priorities. I join the people of India in expressing gratitude to H.M. the King of Bhutan, the Govt. and the people of Bhutan for this wonderful gesture."

Also Read: PM Narendra Modi Receives Bhutan's Highest Honour

Prime Minister Modi was today conferred the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, Bhutan’s highest civilian decoration, by the King of Bhutan in a public ceremony at the Tendrelthang, Thimphu.

PM Modi is the first foreign leader to be given this prestigious award.

Expressing that it is honoured that "a statesman of such stature is a true friend" of the kingdom's people, Bhutan said that "Prime Minister Modi is a firm supporter of the country's national vision to achieve self-reliance and become a developed nation".

"The award recognises His Excellency Prime Minister Modi's personal accomplishments and leadership, and his contributions to strengthen the bonds of friendship between India and Bhutan," the award citation read.

The award also honoured India's rise as a global power under PM Modi's leadership and celebrated Bhutan’s special bond with India.

The citation described PM Modi as an outstanding embodiment of national, regional, and global leadership, under whom India has become the fastest-growing economy in the world and will be the third-largest economy by 2030.

It added that PM Modi's Neighbourhood First policy has strengthened South Asia, and paved the way for collective progress.

"Prime Minister Modi's friendship and support for all of Bhutan's objectives and initiatives have made our bonds stronger than ever," the citation added.

After receiving the award, PM Modi underlined that the award was an honour bestowed on the people of Bharat and a testament to the excellent state of bilateral ties between the two countries.

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