Introduction
Since becoming Prime Minister in 2014, Narendra Modi has been honoured by several Muslim-majority states with their top civilian awards. Each recognition coincided with significant diplomatic engagement—state visits, major agreements, infrastructure projects, and aid proposals. This article investigates each such award, pairing it with concurrent Indian outreach—from financial aid and trade deals to defense partnerships and cultural diplomacy—over the period 2014 to 2025. Our aim is to determine whether there is more than symbolism at play: is there a deeper, reciprocal relationship unfolding beneath the surface?
1. Saudi Arabia – April 3, 2016
Modi was awarded the King Abdulaziz Sash by King Salman of Saudi Arabia, during a high-profile visit to Riyadh. India signed five cooperation agreements in labor recruitment, technical standards, financial intelligence, and investment. The visit also covered broader expansion of trade ties and bilateral defense cooperation. At the time, bilateral trade stood around $39 billion, and India struck several significant energy and oil deals with Saudi Aramco.
2. Afghanistan – June 4, 2016
Modi was given the Amir Amanullah Khan Award during his visit to Herat. This award followed closely after he inaugurated the India-funded Salma Dam and the Afghan Parliament building in Kabul—two flagship projects under India’s long-term aid (totaling around $3 billion over two decades). During the same trip, the Chabahar transit corridor deal (involving Iran) and cooperation on the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India pipeline were also announced.
3. Palestine – February 10, 2018
On his first official visit to Ramallah, Modi received the Grand Collar of the State of Palestine. This recognition followed India’s pledge of approximately $141 million in development assistance to Palestine—covering infrastructure projects such as schools and libraries. India has long supported Palestine at the UN and through bilateral aid, and this visit underscored sustained diplomatic backing.
4. Maldives – June 8, 2019
Modi was conferred the Most Honourable Order of the Distinguished Rule of Izzuddin during his visit to Malé. This award coincided with the signing of defense, security, and infrastructure deals. India extended a $100 million line of credit, supplied patrol vessels, facilitated training, and provided COVID-19 assistance and disaster relief—all reflecting a deepening partnership following a change in Maldivian leadership.
5. United Arab Emirates – August 24, 2019
Modi received the Order of Zayed during a state visit, marking a milestone in India–UAE ties. Although final agreement on the India–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement was reached in 2022, the visit initiated far-reaching cooperation in trade, energy, investment, currency settlement mechanisms, and defense.
6. Bahrain – August 24, 2019
Following the UAE visit, Modi also visited Bahrain and was awarded the King Hamad Order of the Renaissance. He laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of a 200-year-old Hindu temple—an act symbolizing cultural outreach. India and Bahrain signed a cultural exchange program and an MoU to launch RuPay cards via a joint NPCI–BENEFIT venture.
7. Egypt – June 25, 2023
Modi received Egypt’s highest civilian honour, the Order of the Nile, during his first visit to Cairo. The visit focused on expanding trade—which was near $6 billion in 2022–23—and discussed using rupee-based settlements to support Egypt’s foreign exchange reserves. India also announced plans for greater cooperation in energy, technology, and food security, as well as defense and G20 engagement.
8. Kuwait – December 22, 2024
During Modi’s visit—the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 43 years—he received the Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer. India and Kuwait elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership, launching cooperation in pharmaceuticals, IT, fintech, infrastructure, and defense. Bilateral trade reached about $10.4 billion in 2023–24, and over one million Indians reside in Kuwait.
Summary of Awards and Concurrent Outreach
| Country | Award & Date | Concurrent Indian Engagement Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | King Abdulaziz Sash – Apr 3, 2016 | Five MoUs (labor/investment); $39B trade; energy and defense cooperation |
| Afghanistan | Amir Amanullah Khan – Jun 4, 2016 | $3B aid; Salma Dam inauguration; Chabahar corridor deal; Parliament building support |
| Palestine | Grand Collar – Feb 10, 2018 | $141M development aid; cultural and institutional support; UN backing |
| Maldives | Order of Izzuddin – Jun 8, 2019 | $100M LOC; patrol vessels; disaster relief; infrastructure and security deals |
| UAE | Order of Zayed – Aug 24, 2019 | Trade boost ($60B); CEPA deal; energy, investment, and maritime cooperation |
| Bahrain | Order of Renaissance – Aug 24, 2019 | Temple redevelopment; RuPay card launch; cultural and economic ties |
| Egypt | Order of the Nile – Jun 25, 2023 | $6B trade; rupee settlement talks; defense, energy, and G20 cooperation |
| Kuwait | Mubarak Al-Kabeer – Dec 22, 2024 | $10B+ trade; strategic ties in pharma, IT, and defense; diaspora support |
