Washington [US], December 22 (ANI): United States President Donald Trump has presented Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the prestigious Legion of Merit, a top US honour, for his leadership in elevating India and US strategic partnership, National Security Advisor Robert C. O’ Brien informed.
Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu accepted the medal on the behalf of Prime Minister Modi.
“‘President @realDonaldTrump presented the Legion of Merit to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership in elevating the U.S.-India strategic partnership. Ambassador @SandhuTaranjitS accepted the medal on behalf of Prime Minister Modi.” tweeted National Security Council (NSC) quoting NSA Robert C. O’Brien.
The citation with the award states “for exceptionally meritorious service as the Prime Minister of the Republic of India from May 2014 to August 2020. Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s steadfast leadership and vision have accelerated India’s emergence as a global power and elevated the strategic partnership between the United States and India to address global challenges.”
The Legion of Merit Medal was established by Congress on July 20, 1942.
It is awarded to members of the US military and foreign military members and political figures who have displayed exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. It is one of the highest military medals that can be awarded to foreign officers.
The Legion of Merit Medal is a five-rayed white cross, edged with red, resting on a green wreath with a blue centre containing 13 white stars.
The Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander, is a rarely-awarded, prestigious decoration that can only be bestowed by the President, typically to Heads of state or Heads of Government of other countries.
The Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander is a domed five-pointed American white star plaque of heraldic form bordered in purplish-red enamel 215/16 inches circumscribing diameter with 13 white stars on a blue field emerging from a circle of clouds; backing the star, a laurel wreath with pierced, crossed arrows pointing outward between each arm of the star and the wreath. The reverse is engraved with the words “United States of America.”
US Ambassador congratulates PM Modi for receving Legion of Merit
US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster on Tuesday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for being honoured by the “well-deserved” Legion of Merit saying that Washington appreciates his efforts for elevating India–US partnership.
“Congratulations to (Prime Minister) @narendramodi (Narendra Modi) for the well-deserved Legion of Merit. We greatly appreciate your commitment to a strong U.S.-India partnership,” the US Ambassador wrote in a tweet.
He added, “Similar awards were given to PM (Shinzo) Abe and PM (Scott)Morrison, recognizing our leaders’ shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s steadfast leadership and vision have accelerated India‘s emergence as a global power and elevated the strategic partnership between the United States and India to address global challenges.”
“Prime Minister Modi’s superior effort, personal leadership, and unwavering commitment to advancing strategic cooperation between the United States and India and promoting global peace and prosperity reflect great credit upon himself, the Indian armed forces, and his country,” the citation read.
Legit of Merit to PM Modi reflects strong Indo-US strategic partnership, says Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi being awarded the prestigious Legion of Merit by the United States, reflected the strong strategic partnership between the two countries and expressed confidence that this relationship will grow in the coming years.
Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar lauded PM Modi‘s efforts for recognising and guiding relations between India and the US.
“The prestigious Legion of Merit, awarded to PM @narendramodi reflects the strong India-US strategic partnership today. PM recognised its true potential and guided its progress. Confident that the relationship will continue to grow in the years ahead,” he tweeted.
‘Deeply honoured’ PM says after receiving ‘Legion of Merit’ award
After being conferred the prestigious Legion of Merit from US President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was deeply honoured by the award, adding that it recognises the efforts of India and the US to improve bilateral relations between the nations.
Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said that the award reflected the bipartisan consensus of both countries about the Indo-US strategic partnership.
“I am deeply honoured to be awarded the Legion of Merit by @POTUS @realDonaldTrump. It recognises the efforts of the people of India & the US to improve bilateral ties, reflected in the bipartisan consensus in both countries about the Indo-US Strategic Partnership,” he tweeted.
In another tweet, the Prime Minister said that the Indo-US relationship can leverage the vast potential of the people to provide global leadership for the benefit of the entire humanity.
“The 21st century presents both unprecedented challenges as well as opportunities. The India-US relationship can leverage the vast potential of our people’s unique strengths to provide global leadership for the benefit of entire humanity,” he tweeted.
He further reiterated the government’s firm commitment to continue working with the US government and stakeholders to bolster India-US relations.
“On behalf of the 1.3 billion people of India, I reiterate my government’s firm conviction and commitment to continue working with the US government, and all other stakeholders in both countries, for further strengthening India-US ties,” he said in another tweet.
