Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, 18th December, received Oman’s highest civilian honour, the First Class of the Order of Oman, from Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. This award recognises his efforts in building stronger ties between India and Oman.
Day After Ethiopia's Top Honour, PM Modi Gets Oman's Highest Award https://t.co/MvUzppMR5W pic.twitter.com/InOFpDYf8r
— NDTV WORLD (@NDTVWORLD) December 18, 2025
It places him in company with other major figures such as Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, Emperor Akihito of Japan, Nelson Mandela, and King Abdullah of Jordan.
PM Modi dedicated the honour to the age-old friendship between the two countries and called it a tribute to the warmth and affection between the 1.4 billion people of India and the people of Oman. The PM received the award on the second day of his visit to Muscat, thus concluding his three-nation foreign trip that included Jordan and Ethiopia.
The visit marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and the Sultanate of Oman. Both sides are looking to boost work in trade, investment, energy, defence, and cultural exchanges. Modi arrived in Muscat on Wednesday, 17th December, with a warm welcome, including a guard of honour.
PM Modi receives Ethiopia’s highest award in a special ceremony
Just a day earlier, on Tuesday, 16th December, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was given Ethiopia’s top honour, the Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia, by Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed Ali. This happened at a special event in Addis Ababa’s International Convention Centre. PM Modi was bestowed with the award for his exceptional contribution to strengthening the bilateral relationship between India and Ethiopia and for his visionary leadership.
#WATCH | Ethiopia has conferred its highest award- The Great Honor Nishan of Ethiopia on PM Modi. PM Modi is the first global Head of State/Head of Government to receive this award.
(Video: ANI/DD News) pic.twitter.com/rgXbJiC64X
— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2025
The award honours his great work in strengthening India-Ethiopia ties and his strong leadership on the world stage. He’s the first world leader to get this award. Prime Minister Modi dedicated the award to all those – Indians and Ethiopians – who have nurtured the bilateral ties for ages and conveyed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the 1.4 billion Indians for being bestowed with this honour.
In his speech, Modi said he accepted it with humility from one of the world’s oldest civilisations. He thanked PM Abiy and Ethiopians for the honour, praised Abiy’s work on unity, sustainability, and growth for all, and noted how Indian teachers have helped Ethiopia for over 100 years.
I’m honoured to be conferred with the ‘Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia.’ I dedicate it to the 140 crore people of India. https://t.co/qVFdWQgU9r
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 16, 2025
He dedicated the award to Indians and Ethiopians who built these ties over time, speaking for 1.4 billion Indians. This step highlights the strong partnership between the two nations and supports Global South goals.
With these two awards, the total number of awards PM Modi has received from different countries has gone up ot 32.
