PM Modi's Slovak honour: NDA leaders call it recognition for 140 crore Indians
Synopsis
Slovakia has conferred its highest state honour on PM Modi — making him the first Indian PM to visit the country and the recipient of top awards from 33 nations. NDA leaders across parties called it a recognition of 140 crore Indians, framing the diplomatic milestone as a marker of India's rising global stature.
Key Takeaways
Slovakia conferred the Order of the White Double Cross (1st Class) — its highest state honour — on PM Narendra Modi during his state visit.
Modi is the first sitting Indian Prime Minister to visit Slovakia .
He has now received top civilian honours from 33 countries , according to Union Minister Giriraj Singh .
NDA leaders including Chirag Paswan , Giriraj Singh , and Brajesh Pathak described the award as recognition for 140 crore Indians .
Maulana Qari Abrar Jamal of Jamiat Himayatul Islam also welcomed the honour, calling it a moment for the entire nation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Slovakia, and a day after the Central European nation conferred its highest state honour — the Order of the White Double Cross (1st Class) — on him, leaders across the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on 16 June described the award as a recognition not of an individual, but of 140 crore Indians.
NDA Leaders React
Union Minister Giriraj Singh said: 'Prime Minister Modi has been bestowed the highest honour by Slovakia, and has been similarly honoured by 32 other countries. It is a recognition of India's prestige and that of the 1.5 billion people of India.' Union Minister Chirag Paswan, President of the Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas, echoed the sentiment: 'When Prime Minister Narendra Modi is honoured with the highest civilian awards by different countries, the recognition is not just for an individual or the Prime Minister of the country, but for all Indians.'
Janata Dal-United (JDU) spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan described Modi as the 'pride of the nation', adding that the visit itself marked a historic first and an important step towards deepening economic and strategic ties between India and Slovakia.
Ministers and Allies Weigh In
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, chief of the Republican Party of India-Athawale, called it a 'proud moment' for the country. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national General Secretary Tarun Chugh said the award reflects that Modi's work is 'widely appreciated across the world' and that his leadership is 'recognised globally.'
Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam noted that Modi 'enjoys strong credibility across the world' and is 'playing an important role in global politics and geopolitical systems.' Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak added: 'This honour is not only of Prime Minister Modi but of 140 crore Indians.'
Broader Voices
National President of Jamiat Himayatul Islam, Maulana Qari Abrar Jamal, also called it an 'honour for the whole nation', saying the world is looking towards India and that no one can stop the nation from becoming a Vishwa Guru (global leader).
Context and Significance
Slovakia's Order of the White Double Cross (1st Class) is the country's highest state honour, awarded to foreign dignitaries for exceptional contributions to bilateral relations. Modi's state visit to Slovakia was historic — no sitting Indian Prime Minister had visited the country before. According to reports, Modi has now received top civilian honours from 33 countries in total, making this the latest in a series of international recognitions during his tenure. This comes amid India's broader push to deepen ties with Central and Eastern European nations as part of its evolving foreign policy posture.
Point of View
But the underlying diplomatic fact is real: no Indian PM had visited Slovakia before, and the Order of the White Double Cross is not a ceremonial token — it is Slovakia's highest state distinction. What the coverage tends to flatten is the strategic dimension: India's engagement with Central and Eastern Europe has been episodic at best, and a single state visit, however symbolically loaded, does not substitute for sustained trade and security architecture. The 33-country honours tally is a useful optic, but the harder question — what bilateral deliverables came out of Bratislava — gets lost in the applause.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What honour did Slovakia confer on PM Modi?
Slovakia awarded Prime Minister Narendra Modi the Order of the White Double Cross (1st Class), the country's highest state honour, during his state visit to the Central European nation. It is given to foreign dignitaries for outstanding contributions to bilateral relations.
Is Modi the first Indian PM to visit Slovakia?
Yes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the first sitting Indian Prime Minister to visit Slovakia. The visit was described by NDA leaders as an important step towards strengthening economic and strategic ties between the two countries.
How many countries have honoured PM Modi with their highest awards?
According to Union Minister Giriraj Singh, PM Modi has received top honours from 33 countries in total, with Slovakia's Order of the White Double Cross being the latest addition to that list.
How did NDA leaders respond to the Slovak honour?
Leaders across the NDA — including Union Ministers Giriraj Singh, Chirag Paswan, and Ramdas Athawale, as well as UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak and BJP General Secretary Tarun Chugh — called it a recognition of India's 140 crore people and a reflection of Modi's global standing.
What is the Order of the White Double Cross?
The Order of the White Double Cross (1st Class) is Slovakia's highest state honour, conferred on foreign heads of state and dignitaries for exceptional contributions to the country and to bilateral relations. PM Modi received it during his historic first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Slovakia.
