PM Modi Conferred with Grand Cross of Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, His 32nd Global Honour So Far
By R Anil Kumar
Oslo, Norway, May 18, 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the top Norwegian honour, the Grand Cross of Royal Norwegian Order on May 18, 2026.
The Norway’s top honour is conferred on foreign and Norwegian nationals as a reward for their outstanding service in the interest of Norway and mankind.
PM Modi was conferred with the top Norwegian honour on Monday
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred with the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit, Norway’s highest civilian honour under the prestigious order. The Grand Cross represents the top grade of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit.
It is awarded in recognition of exceptional service and contributions towards strengthening bilateral relations and international cooperation.
With this, PM Modi has now received his 32nd international honour from countries across the world, reflecting India’s growing global engagement and diplomatic outreach.
PM Modi Expresses Gratitude After Receiving Norway’s Top Honour
Expressing gratitude after receiving the award, PM Modi said the honour was dedicated to the people of India and reflected the strong and enduring friendship between India and Norway. In a post on X, PM Modi said the recognition symbolised the two nations’ shared commitment towards global progress and cooperation.
“Honoured to receive the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit. This honour is dedicated to the people of India and is a tribute to the enduring friendship between India and Norway. It reflects our shared commitment to global progress,” he tweeted.
The Royal Norwegian Order of Merit was founded by King Olav V in 1985. It is conferred on foreign and Norwegian nationals as a reward for their outstanding service in the interest of Norway and mankind, according to The Royal House of Norway website. The honour was bestowed upon the Indian leader during his visit to Norway, the first by a sitting Indian Prime Minister to the country in 43 years.
PM Modi’s Norway Visit:
This comes a day after Prime Minister Modi was conferred with Sweden’s prestigious Royal Order of Polar Star Commander Grand Cross. The award is Sweden’s highest honour conferred on foreign Heads of Government.
The Prime Minister landed in Oslo, Norway’s capital, earlier in the day after concluding his two-day visit to Sweden. PM Modi is on a multi-nation tour. He was received at the airport by his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store and other top leaders of the Scandinavian country.
“I am confident that the visit will add vigour to the India-Norway friendship,” Modi said in a post on X upon his arrival. Upon his arrival at the hotel, Modi was greeted by members of the Indian diaspora, with musical and dance performances marking the welcome.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi held a meeting with the Norwegian PM. During the meeting, both countries entered into a Green Strategic Partnership and Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. PM Modi also thanked Norway for standing with India on terrorism after the Pahalgam attack.
After the meet, PM Modi said: “India and Norway, both, believe in a rules-based order, dialogue, and diplomacy. We agree that no issue can be resolved through military conflict alone. Be it Ukraine or West Asia, we will continue to support every effort for the early end of the conflict and for peace.”
