New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred “The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia”, the highest civilian award of the African nation, in recognition of his leadership, global statesmanship, and contribution to strengthening India–Africa relations. The honour was presented during his official engagement with Ethiopian leadership, marking a significant milestone in bilateral diplomatic ties.
The Ethiopian government said the award recognises Prime Minister Modi’s role in promoting South–South cooperation, development partnerships, and India’s growing engagement with the African continent through trade, capacity building, and people-to-people relations.
A Growing List of Global Honours
With this recognition, Prime Minister Modi has now received one of the highest civilian awards from a large number of countries, reflecting India’s expanding global influence under his leadership. He is among the most internationally decorated Indian Prime Ministers in recent history.
Major International Awards Conferred on Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Saudi Arabia – Order of King Abdulaziz (2016)
- Russia – Order of St. Andrew the Apostle (2019), Russia’s highest civilian honour
- United Arab Emirates – Order of Zayed (2019)
- Maldives – Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddin (2019)
- Bahrain – King Hamad Order of the Renaissance (2019)
- United States – Legion of Merit (2020)
- Fiji – Companion of the Order of Fiji (2023)
- Papua New Guinea – Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu (2023)
- Egypt – Order of the Nile (2023), the country’s highest state honour
- France – Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour (2023)
- Greece – Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer (2023)
- Dominica – Dominica Award of Honour (2023)
- Nigeria – Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) (2023)
- Bhutan – Order of the Druk Gyalpo (2024), Bhutan’s highest civilian award
- Ethiopia – The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia (2025)
Significance of the Ethiopian Honour
The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia is rarely bestowed on foreign leaders and is reserved for individuals who have made exceptional contributions to Ethiopia’s international partnerships and global cooperation. Officials highlighted India’s development assistance, digital public infrastructure support, healthcare cooperation, and educational initiatives in Africa as key factors behind the decision.
Diplomatic Impact
Analysts view the growing list of international honours as symbolic of India’s rising stature on the global stage. The awards underscore New Delhi’s expanding diplomatic footprint across West Asia, Europe, Africa, the Pacific Islands, and the Americas.
The Ethiopian honour further strengthens India’s engagement with Africa, reinforcing Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a multipolar world order and deeper cooperation with the Global South.
