Narendra Modi: Gujarat Roots, Global Honours and US Ties
Narendra Modi’s international record includes major awards from countries worldwide
✍️ By Shri Pradeep Trivedi
English translation adapted from the original Gujarati article without changes to the content or experiences described by the author.
Freelance Writer | Author | Sports Analyst | Lecturer | Sports Journalist
Which US Presidents has he met?
Modi is the only Indian Prime Minister to have hosted three US Presidents in India: Obama (2015), Trump (2020), and Biden (2023). This is a record.
| President | Number of meetings | Special connection |
|---|---|---|
| Barack Obama | 9 times (2009-2017) | The closest friendship. Obama called Modi “My Friend”. They created the “Chale Saath Saath” vision. Obama was the first foreign leader to congratulate Modi on his victory. |
| Donald Trump | 7 times (2017-2021, 2025-present) | A friendship full of hugs. Both are known for social media and large public events. Trump said, “India and US have never been stronger”. Modi said in Houston, “Abki Baar Trump Sarkar”. |
| Joe Biden | 8 times (2021-2025) | A relationship based on respect. When Biden was Vice President, he hosted Modi for lunch at the White House. Later, during the State Visit, Modi received a 21-gun salute. Both worked on the Quad and iCET technology. |
Who gave Modi a special dinner at home? This is very interesting.
Obama – 2014
He held a private dinner for Modi at the White House. Normally, Presidents do not invite foreign leaders for dinner at their home. Obama had dinner alone with Modi, without his wife Michelle, for two hours.
Trump – 2017
Trump held his first dinner at the White House for a foreign leader, especially for Modi. Modi was the first foreign guest Trump invited home for dinner after becoming President. In the Rose Garden, Trump called him a “True Friend”.
Biden – 2023
Biden hosted a State Dinner for Modi. Around 400 guests were served pure vegetarian Gujarati food on the White House lawn.
The menu included millet, corn and shrikhand.
Biden said, “Modiji, You are cause of new India”.
Modi, in return, hosted Biden for dinner at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, the Prime Minister’s House in Delhi, during the G20. This is also a historic event.
Shri Narendra Modi’s International Honours
Shri Narendra Modi has received many honours around the world.
He is described as one of the most respected leaders in the world, the world’s most popular leader, and a courageous, patriotic and dedicated leader with a positive outlook and strong understanding.
Today, on the birthday of the respected world statesman Shri Narendra Modi, we offer our heartfelt birthday wishes. We proudly welcome the honours he has received from around the world and feel proud that a political saint has been born in our country and has made India’s name known around the world as Vishwaguru.
International honours received by Shri Narendra Modi
| No. | Date | Country / Place | Honour | Presented by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 Apr 2016 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | “Order of King Abdulaziz” – the highest honour | King Salman bin Abdulaziz |
| 2 | 4 June 2016 | Herat, Afghanistan | “Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan” | President Ashraf Ghani |
| 3 | 10 Feb 2018 | Ramallah, Palestine | “Grand Collar of State of Palestine” | President Mahmoud Abbas |
| 4 | 24 Aug 2019 | Abu Dhabi, UAE | “Order of Zayed” | Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed |
| 5 | 12 Apr 2019: announced, presented on 9 July 2024 in Moscow | Russia | “Order of St. Andrew” | President Vladimir Putin |
| 6 | 8 June 2019 | Male, Maldives | “Nishan Izzuddeen” | President Ibrahim Solih |
| 7 | 24 Aug 2019 | Manama, Bahrain | “King Hamad Order of Renaissance” | King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa |
| 8 | 21 Dec 2020 | Washington, USA | “Legion of Merit – Chief Commander” | President Donald Trump – accepted by the Ambassador |
| 9 | Dec 2021: announced, 22 Mar 2024 in Thimphu | Bhutan | “Order of Druk Gyalpo” – Bhutan’s highest honour and the first for a foreign leader | King Jigme Khesar Wangchuck |
| 10 | 22 May 2023 | Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea | “Grand Companion of Order of Logohu” | PM James Marape |
| 11 | 22 May 2023 | Suva, Fiji | “Companion of Order of Fiji” | PM Sitiveni Rabuka |
| 12 | 22 May 2023 | Palau | “Ebakl Award” | President Surangel Whipps Jr. |
| 13 | 25 June 2023 | Cairo, Egypt | “Order of the Nile” | President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi |
| 14 | 13 July 2023 | Paris, France | “Grand Cross of Legion of Honour” – France’s highest honour | President Emmanuel Macron |
| 15 | 25 Aug 2023 | Athens, Greece | “Grand Cross of Order of Honour” | PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis |
| 16 | 10 Sep 2023: announced | UNESCO | “Global Leadership Award” | UNESCO |
| 17 | 2 Jan 2024 | Washington DC, USA | “Leadership Award” by US-India Business | USISPF |
| 18 | 20 Mar 2024 | New Delhi – Bhutan | Physical presentation of the above honour | Bhutan’s King came to India and presented it |
| 19 | 9 July 2024 | Moscow, Russia | Physical presentation of the above Order | Putin presented it at the Kremlin |
| 20 | 8 May 2024 | Georgetown, Guyana | “Order of Excellence” | President Irfaan Ali |
| 21 | 19 Nov 2024 | Abuja, Nigeria | “Grand Commander of Order of Niger (GCON)” | President Bola Tinubu |
| 22 | 20 Nov 2024 | Roseau, Dominica | “Dominica Award of Honour” | PM Roosevelt Skerrit |
| 23 | 20 Nov 2024 | Bridgetown, Barbados | “Honorary Order of Freedom” | PM Mia Mottley |
| 24 | 22 Dec 2024 | Kuwait City, Kuwait | “Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer” | Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad |
| 25 | 5 Apr 2025 | Colombo, Sri Lanka | “Mitra Vibhushana” – Sri Lanka’s highest foreign honour | President Anura Dissanayake |
| 26 | 11 Mar 2025 | Port Louis, Mauritius | “Grand Commander of Star & Key (GCSK)” | PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam |
| 27 | 16 June 2025 | Nicosia, Cyprus | “Grand Cross of Order of Makarios III” | President Nikos Christodoulides |
| 28 | 2 July 2025 | Accra, Ghana | “Officer of the Order of Star of Ghana” | President John Mahama |
| 29 | 4 July 2025 | Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago | “Order of the Republic of T&T” | President Christine Kangaloo |
| 30 | 8 July 2025 | Brasilia, Brazil | “Grand Collar of the Order of the Southern Cross” | President Lula da Silva |
| 31 | 9 July 2025 | Windhoek, Namibia | “Order of Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis” | President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah |
| 32 | 17 May 2026 | Stockholm, Sweden | “Order of Polar Star – Commander Grand Cross” | On behalf of King Carl XVI Gustaf, at the invitation of PM Ulf Kristersson |
| 33 | 18 May 2026 | Oslo, Norway | “Order of St. Olav – Grand Cross” | On behalf of King Harald V by PM Jonas Gahr Støre |
| 34 | 15 June 2026 | Bratislava, Slovakia | “Order of White Double Cross” | President Peter Pellegrini |
| 35 | 28 June 2026 | Victoria, Seychelles | “Guardian of the Blue Horizon” – first recipient | President Patrick Herminie, on the 50th National Day |
| 36 | 7 July 2026 | Jakarta, Indonesia | “Bintang Adipurna” – Indonesia’s highest honour | President Prabowo Subianto, at Merdeka Palace |
Note: The list up to No. 35 is officially given in The Hindu Graphics.
Acknowledgement:
Newz Daddy extends sincere thanks to Shri Pradeep Trivedi, author, sports analyst and journalist, for sharing his memorable details of Shri Narendra Modi. We also appreciate the photographs and personal experiences that have enriched this article.