Medal also awarded to Japanese PM Shinzo Abe and Australian PM Scott Morrison
US President Donald Trump presented top military honour ‘Legion of Merit – Degree Chief Commander’ to the Indian PM Narendra Modi for his exceptionally meritorious services in improving the bilateral ties between the two countries. It is a highly prestigious honour awarded only by the US President. It is rarely awarded and is reserved for the head of the state or government.
Indian Ambassador to the USA, Taranjit Singh Sindhu received
the award from US National Security Advisor, Robert O’Brien in
a ceremony at the White House. At the ceremony the medal was
also conferred to the Japanese PM Shinzo Abe and Australian
PM Scott Morrison. Japanese Ambassador to the US, Shinsuke
J. Sugiyama and Australian Ambassador to the US, Arthur Sinodinos received the award on behalf of their countries.
The four democracies, Australia, India, Japan, and the United States form the ‘Quad or QSD’ (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) which is grouping of the countries with shared interests of strengthening the Indo-Pacific region strategically and economically.
Image credit – NSC Twitter handle