- By Shubham Bajpai
- Sun, 17 May 2026 10:34 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday received the Royal Order of the Polar Star, Commander Grand Cross, Sweden's prestigious and highest honour that can be conferred upon a head of government.
This is PM Modi's 31st global honour that he received as the prime minister in the last 12 years. The prime minister arrived in Sweden on Sunday for a two-day visit. While entering the Swedish airspace, he was welcomed with a Gripen Fighter Jet escort.
PM Modi was received by his Swedish counterpart, Ulf Kristersson, at the Gothenburg Airport. Upon his arrival and a grand welcome, the prime minister held a wide-ranging dialogue with his Swedish counterpart.
The talks focused on trade, technology, defence, and other key sectors. The visit comes after about 8 years, as the last time PM Modi visited Sweden was in 2018 for the first-ever India-Nordic Summit.
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During the delegation-level talks, the two sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and explored new avenues of cooperation to enhance bilateral trade, which reached USD 7.75 billion in 2025.
In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "A reaffirmation of friendship! Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden conferred upon PM Narendra Modi the 'Royal Order of the Polar Star, Degree Commander Grand Cross' in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the India-Sweden relationship and his visionary leadership."
"The Prime Minister dedicated the honour to the historic ties between India and Sweden, and described it as a tribute to the warmth and affection shared between the people of India and Sweden," he added.
What is Royal Order of Polar Star, Commander Grand Cross?
The Royal Order of the Polar Star is a Swedish order of chivalry awarded by the King of Sweden. It is primarily conferred upon foreign citizens and stateless persons for exceptional services, international cooperation, and contributions benefiting Sweden.
The Commander Grand Cross is the highest grade within the Royal Order of the Polar Star. It is typically conferred on heads of state, senior leaders, diplomats, and distinguished foreign dignitaries.
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This honour was first created in 1748 by King Frederick I of Sweden to honour those foreign heads with "civic merits, for devotion to duty, for science, literary, learned and useful works and for new and beneficial institutions".
Its insignia features a white Maltese cross and the motto “Nescit Occasum” — Latin for “It knows no decline,” symbolising the North Star.