News Desk: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Sweden’s prestigious Royal Order of the Polar Star, Commander Grand Cross during his visit to the Nordic nation, marking a major diplomatic highlight in the third leg of his five-country tour.
The honour, regarded as one of Sweden’s highest recognitions bestowed upon foreign heads of government, was presented by Crown Princess Victoria in recognition of Modi’s “exceptional contribution” to India-Sweden ties and his leadership on the global stage.
Sweden confers the Royal Order of the Polar Star, Commander Grand Cross upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a Head of Government by Sweden.
This marks the 31st international honour bestowed upon PM Modi, a testament to India’s rising… pic.twitter.com/EuercJSiLF
— BJP (@BJP4India) May 17, 2026
Sharing details of the award ceremony, India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Prime Minister dedicated the honour to the enduring friendship between the two nations and described it as a reflection of the warmth shared by the people of India and Sweden.
Modi arrived in Gothenburg after concluding his visit to the Netherlands, where he was personally received at the airport by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The rare gesture underscored the growing strategic partnership between the two countries.
The Indian diaspora accorded Modi a vibrant welcome featuring cultural performances, including a rendition of the iconic bhajan Vaishnava Jana To by Swedish opera singer Charlotta Huldt and a Bharatanatyam presentation by students of Lilla Akademien.
Jag tilldelades nyss Nordstjärneorden. Detta är inte bara en ära för mig, utan för hela Indiens 1,4 miljarder människor.
Det är också en hyllning till alla våra vänner i Sverige som har stärkt relationerna mellan Indien och Sverige och lagt en stark grund. Må vänskapen mellan… pic.twitter.com/MUjnrTEyTD— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 17, 2026
In a post on X, Modi said his discussions with Kristersson would focus on strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, innovation, defence and emerging technologies. He also announced participation in the European Business Round Table for Industry alongside Ursula von der Leyen to deepen India-Europe investment ties.
Expressing gratitude for the warm reception, Modi said he appreciated Kristersson’s personal gesture of receiving him at the airport and looked forward to elevating the India-Sweden partnership further.
The Prime Minister also shared visuals of his interaction with members of the Indian community in Sweden, noting that the event showcased the richness of Bengali culture in the Nordic country.
