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US President Donald Trump has presented the prestigious Legion of Merit, a top US honour, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership in elevating the strategic partnership of India and the US.
Other awardee
- Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe: For his leadership and vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific
- Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison: For his leadership in addressing global challenges and promoting collective security.
India, the US, Australia and Japan constitute the 'Quad' group of countries, which has been seen as a counter to Chinese dominance in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Legion of Merit
- The Legion of Merit was instituted in 1942 by former US president Franklin D Roosevelt.
- It is the only US military decoration that has distinct ranks, and the first US medal to be awarded to citizens of other nations
- US military personnel qualify only for the lowest rank of legionnaire, any foreign citizen is eligible for the three higher ranks of officer, commander, and chief commander.
- The Legion of Merit, in the highest degree of the Chief Commander, is a prestigious award conferred by the President of the United States, typically upon Heads of State or Heads of Government of other countries.
The US had last awarded Legion of Merit to late Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on September 18, 2020 as the senior-most Royal in the Middle-East for bridging divides in the restive region.
Source: PIB
