PM Modi Creates History, Receives Norway’s Highest Civilian Honour

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Norway’s highest civilian honour, the “Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit,” during his visit to Oslo on Monday. The award was presented by Harald V, marking another major international recognition for the Indian leader. With this honour, PM Modi has now received 32 global awards from different countries, highlighting India’s growing influence on the world stage. PM Modi is currently on a five-nation tour of Europe, which began on May 15 in the United Arab Emirates. After visiting the UAE and the Netherlands, he arrived in Norway to attend the third India-Nordic Summit and hold bilateral discussions with Norwegian leaders. His visit to Norway is considered historic, as it is the first trip by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in more than four decades. During his meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, PM Modi stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving global conflicts, including the ongoing tensions in West Asia and the Ukraine crisis. He stated that military action alone cannot ensure lasting peace and emphasized that both India and Norway support a rules-based international order based on communication and cooperation. The talks between the two nations also focused on strengthening economic and strategic ties. PM Modi is expected to address the India-Norway Business and Research Summit during his stay in Oslo. More than 30 agreements related to trade, technology, green energy, and LPG supplies are likely to be signed during the visit. Norway already has significant investments in India, with Norwegian government funds investing nearly $28 billion in the Indian stock market. Fresh investment announcements are also expected. Following Norway, PM Modi will continue his European tour with visits to Sweden and Italy. The tour is being viewed as an important diplomatic effort aimed at boosting India’s partnerships with European nations in areas such as clean energy, innovation, trade, and global security cooperation.