US President Donald Trump yesterday presented the prestigious Legion of Merit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership in elevating the strategic partnership of the two countries and emergence of India as a global power.
India's Ambassador to the United States Taranjit Singh Sandhu accepted the award on behalf of the prime minister from US National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien at the White House.
President Trump "presented the Legion of Merit to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership in elevating the US-India strategic partnership," O'Brien said in a tweet.
PM Modi was presented with the highest degree Chief Commander of the Legion of Merit which is given only to a Head of State or Government.
O'Brien in another tweet said that Trump also presented the Legion of Merit to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The awards were received by their respective ambassadors in Washington DC.
President Trump "awarded the Legion of Merit to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for his leadership and vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific," he said.
Trump awarded the Legion of Merit to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison for his leadership in addressing global challenges and promoting collective security, Mr O'Brien tweeted.
