PM Modi conferred Brazil’s highest civilian honour during state visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was formally honoured with Brazil’s highest civilian award, the Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross, by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva at the Alvorada Palace in Brasilia on July 8, 2025. The accolade recognized Modi’s contributions to reinforcing bilateral relations and India’s growing strategic partnership with Brazil.

This ceremony marks Modi’s 26th international honour from foreign nations since taking office in 2014, as confirmed by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

Upon arrival in Brazil, Modi was accorded a grand ceremonial welcome with a guard of honour, a 114-horse salute, and national anthems of both countries played at Alvorada Palace—an official greeting led by President Lula.

At Brasilia airport, the Batala Mundo band performed Afro-Brazilian Samba-Reggae music, and the Indian diaspora greeted him with traditional cultural performances, reinforcing people-to-people bonds.

Modi’s four-day trip to Brazil formed part of a broader Latin American tour that included stops at the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro and bilateral engagements in Brasilia.

On July 9, India and Brazil signed six bilateral agreements, with key pacts targeting cooperation in defence and anti-terror operations. In a joint press briefing, Modi and Lula emphasised a shared commitment to "zero tolerance and zero double standards" on terrorism.

In his post-award remarks, Modi expressed gratitude to President Lula and the people of Brazil, stating that the honour reflects deep affection and moral support from 140 crore Indians.

The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the award as a symbol of strengthened strategic and diplomatic partnership.

India–Brazil relations have matured since 1948, elevated to a strategic partnership in 2006, and further reinforced under the BRICS framework and Global South initiatives.

Modi’s visit underscores expanding cooperation across key areas—defence, energy, trade, technology, space, health, and cultural exchange—signalling a diplomatic milestone.

In addition to this, Prime Minister Modi was honored with two of the highest civilian awards from countries he visited earlier on the tour.

In Ghana, he received the Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana on July 2 for his role in strengthening bilateral and South–South ties.

Two days later, on July 4, Trinidad and Tobago conferred upon him the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT) — the nation’s highest civilian award — recognizing his leadership and connection with the global Indian diaspora.