US President Donald Trump on Monday presented the Legion of Merit to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership in elevating the ties of the two nations and the emergence of India as a global power. 

The prestigious award was accepted by India’s Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu at the White House on behalf of PM Modi from the US National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien. 

In a tweet, O’Brien said Trump “presented the Legion of Merit to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership in elevating the US-India strategic partnership,” reported PTI.

The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the US Armed  Forces, which is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performances of outstanding services and achievements. 

The Indian PM has been given the highest degree Chief Commander of the Legion of Merit that is given only to the Head of State or Government, reports PTI. 

According to a PTI report, the award was presented to PM Modi in recognition of his steadfast leadership and vision that accelerated India’s emergence as a global power and elevated the strategic partnership between Washington and New Delhi to address global challenges.

The Legion of Merit award was also presented to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, which were received by their respective ambassadors in Washington DC, O’Brien said in another tweet. 

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.

The US President awarded the Legion of Merit to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison for his leadership in addressing global challenges and promoting collective security, O’Brien tweeted.

The United States is the latest country to confer its highest award to the Indian prime minister.

Other awards include the Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud by Saudi Arabia in 2016, State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan (2016), Grand Collar of the State of Palestine Award (2018), Order of Zayed Award by United Arab Emirates (2019), Order of St Andrew by Russia (2019), Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddin by Maldives (2019).