During his recent two-day official visit to Muscat, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the Order of Oman (First Class), Oman’s highest civilian honor, marking a significant diplomatic milestone.
On December 18, 2025, Sultan Haitham bin Tarik presented him with this renowned award, which is the 29th such high foreign honor given to him and highlights both his personal diplomacy and India’s growing international prominence.
Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the founder of the Sultanate, established the Order of Oman in 1970 to honor outstanding achievements to international peace, public diplomacy, and bilateral ties. Coinciding with the 70th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, PM Modi’s acceptance of this decoration highlights the growing strategic cooperation between India and Oman.
PM Modi dedicated the honor to the Indian people, their common ancestors, and the sailors who created lasting connections across the Arabian Sea in a moving reaction posted on X. He emphasized the centuries-old maritime trade connections between Mandvi and Muscat and presented the medal as a sign of the two countries’ love and trust for one another.
This feeling was reflected by the Ministry of External Affairs, which described the award as a celebration of the goodwill shared by the 1.4 billion people of India and the people of Oman. The importance of their strategic partnership is increased by this gesture made during PM Modi’s visit to wrap up his three-nation tour.
This most recent award, which reflects PM Modi’s wide-ranging global outreach since taking office in 2014, joins an impressive array of 28 previous highest civilian honors from other nations. These honors, which cover Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Pacific, demonstrate India’s diverse worldwide activities.
PM Modi’s accolades demonstrate his close ties to the continent, from Namibia’s Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis to Ethiopia’s Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia. Africa’s acknowledgement of his leadership is further demonstrated by Nigeria’s Grand Commander of the Order and Ghana’s Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana.
In the Americas, Trinidad and Tobago granted the Order of the Republic, while Brazil granted the Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross. The Dominica Award of Honour, Barbados’ Order of Freedom, and Guyana’s Order of Excellence demonstrate Caribbean gratitude for India’s developmental collaborations.
The Order of St Andrew the Apostle in Russia, the Grand Cross of the Order of Honour in Greece, and the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour in France are among the European endorsements. This continental praise is further enhanced by Cyprus’s Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, which indicates Europe’s confidence in India’s involvement in international affairs.
With the Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer in Kuwait, the King Hamad Order of the Renaissance in Bahrain, the Order of Zayed in the United Arab Emirates, the Order of King Abdulaziz in Saudi Arabia, and now the Order of Oman in Oman, the Middle East and Gulf region are heavily represented. These connections are enhanced by the Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddin in the Maldives.
Further afield, Palestine’s Grand Collar of the State of Palestine, Afghanistan’s State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan, and Egypt’s Order of the Nile highlight Middle Eastern and North African links. Asia-Pacific awards include the Mitra Vibhushana from Sri Lanka, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean from Mauritius, the Order of Logohu from Papua New Guinea, the Companion of the Order of Fiji from Fiji, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo from Bhutan, and the Ebakl Award from the Republic of Palau.
This international tapestry is completed by the United States’ Legion of Merit, which is given for outstanding contributions to international security cooperation and counterterrorism. This varied collection, which includes 29 countries on every continent, is evidence of PM Modi’s diplomatic efforts to develop bridges.
PM Modi’s visit, which resulted in a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a Joint Vision on Maritime Cooperation, and Memorandums of Understanding in the fields of agriculture, education, and maritime, provides additional backdrop for Oman’s conference. Trade, energy security, defense relations, and interpersonal relationships are all strengthened by these results.
Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said, Oman’s Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Affairs, gave a Namaste farewell during the visit, signifying cultural compatibility, and there were ceremonial welcomes at Al Baraka Palace. The topic of regional stability was discussed, along with support for peace initiatives in Gaza and the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
With Oman’s Duqm port acting as a vital center for India’s energy imports and logistics, India-Oman relations strategically anchor maritime security in the Indian Ocean region. Through cultural contacts and remittances, the 3.5 million Indian diaspora in Oman strengthens these ties.
With 29 foreign honors, PM Modi is among the most decorated modern world leaders, surpassing many of his predecessors. In addition to enhancing his own reputation, this record increases India’s strategic influence and soft power globally.
Such diplomatic honors enable increased defense exports, technology transfers, and multilateral cooperation as India works toward its goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047. Thus, Oman’s honor serves as a basis for future Indo-Gulf synergies as well as a capstone to previous accomplishments.
