US President Donald Trump has presented America’s highest military decoration, The Legion of Merit, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership and vision under which India’s emergence as a global power has accelerated and for elevating strategic partnership of the two countries.

Official sources said, The Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander, bestowed on Prime Minister Modi on behalf of the President, is a rarely-awarded, prestigious decoration that can only be bestowed by Trump, typically to heads of state or heads of government of other countries.

India’s Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, accepted the award on behalf of the Prime Minister from the US National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien at the White House.

“India is a key partner for the US in the Indo-Pacific, where the two countries are increasing collaboration to ensure freedom of the seas, open and transparent investment and infrastructure development, secure and reliable digital networks, and good governance.”

In a glowing tribute, the citation adds: “Prime Minister Modi’s personal initiative strengthened the defence partnership between the United States and India, enhancing the US’ ability to secure joint military cooperation that addressed shared challenges. His efforts to expand India’s economic cooperation with the US has advanced prosperity, investment and job creation in both countries.

“Prime Minister Modi’s superior effort, personal leadership, and unwavering commitment to advancing strategic cooperation between the United States and India and promoting global peace and prosperity reflect great credit upon himself, the Indian armed forces, and his country.”