Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday became the first foreign head of government to receive Bhutan’s highest civilian honour. The Order of the Druk Gyalpo, conferred upon him by King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in person.

Since its institution, the award has been conferred upon only four eminent personalities and Mr Modi is the first foreign head of government to receive it. He was presented the award during a public ceremony at the Tendrelthang, Thimphu.

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Receiving the award, the prime minister said, “This is not my personal achievement. The award honours India and 140 crore Indians, and I thank the government and people of Bhutan for this.”

“The 140 crore Indians know that the people of Bhutan are members of their family, and the Bhutanese also know that India is part of their family. Our relations, friendship, togetherness and our trust are unbreakable,” he said.

Bhutan and India are part of a shared heritage, he said. India is the land of Buddha, a place where he got enlightenment; Bhutan assimilated His teachings and nurtured them. “Bhutan displays an amazing coordination between materialism and spirituality; and its capacity to balance happiness, prosperity and traditions can be an example before the world,” he said.

The prime minister said when the world is fighting the challenge of climate change Bhutan’s carbon-neutral progress would show a way to the world. He said the aspirations of the Indian and Bhutan youth are similar; India wants to be developed by 2047 and Bhutan wants to be high-income country by 2034.

India will stand by Bhutan in this, he said. In the next five years, “our relations will reach new heights and India will work on new possibilities in connectivity, infrastructure, trade and energy sectors for Bhutan.”

The prime minister said India will support Bhutan’s 13th five-year Plan, and in the next five years, the Indian government will support Bhutan with Rs 10,000 crore. Relations between the two countries will improve at the government and people-to-people level. The Bhutanese students in India will also guarantee closer people-to-people relations.

The Order of the Druk Gyalpo was instituted as decoration for lifetime achievement and is the pinnacle of the honour system in Bhutan, taking precedence over all orders, decorations and medals.

The citation of the Order for Mr Modi stated that the award was conferred upon him on 17 December 2021. It said “Mr 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.”

“Prime Minister Modi has emerged as a figure of destiny, transforming the ancient civilization of India into a dynamic centre of technology and innovation. His commitment to safeguarding the environment and investing 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,” the citation said.

It said: “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.”

“Bhutan-India relations are exemplary among nations. Prime Minister Modi’s friendship and support for all of Bhutan’s objectives and initiatives have made our bonds stronger than ever,” the citation said.

“This award recognizes His Excellency Prime Minister Modi’s accomplishments and leadership, and his contributions to strengthening 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,” the citation said.