Trump presents PM Modi with top US honour 'Legion of Merit'

  • US President Donald Trump has presented the prestigious Legion of Merit, a top US honour, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership in elevating the strategic partnership of India and the US.
  • India's Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, accepted the award on behalf of PM Modi from the US National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien at the White House.  
  • Trump also presented the Legion of Merit to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. 
LEGION OF MERIT
  • The Legion of Merit Medal was established by Congress on 20 July, 1942.
  • It is a five-rayed white cross, edged with red, resting on a green wreath with a blue centre containing 13 white stars.
  • It is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.
  • The decoration is issued to members of the eight uniformed services of the United States as well as to military and political figures of foreign governments.
HIGHEST CIVILIAN AWARD
  • Presidential Medal Of Freedom is the highest American civilian award of US.
  • The award is not limited to U.S. citizens and, while it is a civilian award, it can also be awarded to military personnel and worn on the uniform.
QUAD AND TRUMP
  • The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (also known as the Quad or Asian NATO) is an informal strategic forum between the United States, Japan, Australia and India.
  • It was initiated as a dialogue in 2007 by then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, with the support of Vice President Dick Cheney of the US, Prime Minister John Howard of Australia and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India.
  • The QUAD revival can be categories as one of the highest achievements in the foreign policy of Donald Trump administration.

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