Top honours for PM Modi from 5 of 6 Gulf states signal shift in ties

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Oman's highest national award during his two-day visit to the Gulf nation, signifying India's rising stature on the global stage under his leadership.

The First Class of the Order of Oman is Modi's 29th international award since he assumed the prime minister's office in May 2014. He has now received the top honours from five of the six Gulf nations, symbolising a turnaround in India's ties with the oil-rich region.

Over the past 11 years, India's ties with the Gulf have expanded beyond energy trade and diaspora links to include robust counter-terror, defence and maritime security partnership. India had also emerged as a key food supplier to the Gulf states during the Covid pandemic, while the Gulf states came forward with supplies of liquid oxygen during that period.


The free trade agreements (FTAs) with the UAE and Oman have further energised trade partnership and the two sides are focusing on the new-age economy.

Here's a look at the top civilian honours conferred on Modi by the Gulf nations: Order of King Abdulaziz by Saudi Arabia.

Order of Zayed, UAE; King Hamad Order of the Renaissance, Bahrain; Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer, Kuwait and Order of Oman. Earlier recipients include Queen Elizabeth II and Nelson Mandela.