PM Modi receives Brazil’s highest civilian honour for boosting bilateral ties

Brazil bestowed the “Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross”, the country’s highest civilian award, on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a notable diplomatic gesture.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva bestowed the accolade onto PM Modi in recognition of his significant achievements to improving bilateral ties and expanding India-Brazil collaboration across important global platforms.

#WATCH | Brasilia, Brazil: President Lula confers Brazil's highest civilian honour, the ‘Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross’, on PM Narendra Modi.

Source: ANI/DD pic.twitter.com/yZT8O0w4UN

— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2025

PM Narendra Modi said, “… I want to thank my friend, President Lula, for the warm welcome accorded to us in Rio and Brasilia… The President conferring Brazil’s highest honour on me is not just a matter of pride for me, but for 140 crore Indians… President Lula is the chief architect of India-Brazil strategic partnership… I dedicate this honour to our friendship and his deep commitment towards India… We have decided to take bilateral trade to $20 billion in the next five years… Football is the soul of Brazil, while cricket is the Indians’ passion. Whether the ball goes beyond the boundary or is in the goal post, a partnership of $20 billion is not difficult…”

#WATCH | Brasilia, Brazil: PM Narendra Modi says, "... I want to thank my friend, President Lula, for the warm welcome accorded to us in Rio and Brasilia... The President conferring Brazil's highest honour on me is not just a matter of pride for me, but for 140 crore Indians...… pic.twitter.com/oDtDbjVECi

— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2025

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This is the 26th international accolade given on PM Modi by a foreign government since he took office in May 2014.

The award is intended for foreign heads of state and is regarded as one of the most prestigious accolades bestowed by Brazil to recognise outstanding leadership and efforts to promote international ties.

Previous recipients of the ‘Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross’ include former South African President Nelson Mandela, Queen Elizabeth II, and US President Dwight D Eisenhower.