Gothengburg, May 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday dedicated Sweden’s ‘Royal Order of the Polar Star’, Degree Commander Grand Cross, to the 1.4 billion people of India and described the honour as a reflection of the enduring friendship between India and Sweden.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the conferment marks a significant milestone in the India-Sweden Strategic Partnership and underscores the shared commitment of both nations to advancing bilateral cooperation and contributing to global peace and prosperity.
Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude to Crown Princess Victoria and the people of Sweden for the recognition, stating that the honour reaffirms the historic and civilisational ties linking the two countries.
The MEA said the award symbolises the warmth and mutual goodwill that continue to strengthen India-Sweden relations.
Modi became the first Asian leader to receive the ‘Royal Order of the Polar Star’ Commander Grand Cross, Sweden’s highest honour that can be conferred upon a head of government.
The award was presented by Crown Princess Victoria at a ceremony held at the County Governor’s residence in the presence of Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The Swedish Prime Minister’s Office said the honour was conferred following a decision by King Carl XVI Gustaf.
The recognition marks the 31st international honour received by Prime Minister Modi.
During the visit, Modi and Kristersson also exchanged commemorative gifts celebrating Rabindranath Tagore and the longstanding cultural and intellectual ties between India and Sweden.
Kristersson presented a collection featuring replicas of Tagore’s handwritten epigrams, accompanied by archival material and a photograph from the poet’s 1921 visit to Uppsala University. The original writings, recently discovered in Sweden’s National Archives, date back to Tagore’s visits to the country in 1921 and 1926.
In return, Modi gifted a collection of Tagore’s works along with a handcrafted Shantiniketan bag featuring motifs associated with the Nobel laureate’s vision of empowering local artisans and integrating art into everyday life.
The MEA said the exchange of gifts highlights the shared cultural legacy between the two nations and coincides with the centenary commemoration of Tagore’s historic visit to Sweden.
