PM Modi gets U.S.’s ‘Legion of Merit’ award
Recently, US President Donald Trump presented the ‘Legion of Merit’ to PM Narendra Modi. He has been awarded for his contribution to improving US-India relationships. The award was received by the Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu on the prime minister’s behalf.
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Key Points
- Legion of Merit is the US Military award given to members of US Armed forces, members of non-US (Foreign) armed forces, and sometimes to the head of states.
- It is the 7th in the precedence order of all the US Military awards.
- The award was started in the year 1942 by Franklin D. Roosevelt, the former president of the US.
- For foreign recipients, the award is given in 4 categories namely- Legionnaire, Officer, Commander, and Chief Commander.
- Before PM Modi, Indian General Rajendrasinhji Jadeja has been given the award in the year in 1946, Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa in 1949, General Satyawant Mallana Srinagesh in 1955, Admiral Jal Cursetji in 1978, General Bikram Singh in 2013, and General Dalbir Singh in 2016.
Other Winners
Along with PM Modi, the award has been given to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Scott Morrison has been awarded for promoting collective security and addressing global challenges while Shino Abe has been awarded for his vision and leadership for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
QUAD
India, the US, Australia, and Japan are members of the QUAD group which has been formed in the year 2017 as a response to China. The group is maintained through information exchanges, summits, and military exercises.