With just days left to exit the office, US President Donald Trump has on Monday conferred one of the prestigious awards of the United States 'Legion of Merit' to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Along with Modi, the outgoing President has honored Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison and former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with the award. 

According to reports, Donald Trump has conferred the Legion of Merit award to Narendra Modi for his leadership in elevating the strategic partnership of the two countries and the emergence of India as a global power. India's Ambassador to the United States Taranjit Singh Sandhu had accepted the award on behalf of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien at the White House. 

Taking to Twitter, the National Security Adviser said, "President Trump presented the Legion of Merit to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership in elevating the US-India strategic partnership". Narendra Modi was presented with the highest degree of the award- Chief Commander of the Legion of Merit which is given only to the Head of State or Government. 

The award comes as a recognition of his steadfast leadership and vision that elevated the strategic partnership between the United States and India to address global challenges.  In another tweet, O'Brien said that President Trump also presented the Legion of Merit to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the awards were received by their respective ambassadors in Washington DC. 

Robert O'Brien said that Trump has awarded the Legion of Merit to Scott Morrison for his leadership in addressing global challenges and promoting collective security while Shinzo Abe was bestowed with the award for his leadership and vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.

During his term in office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferring with the reputed and prestigious global awards. Previously, he was conferred with 'Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud' by Saudi Arabia in 2016, 'State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan' by Afghanisthan in 2016, 'Grand Collar of the State of Palestine Award in 2018, Order of Zayed Award by the United Arab Emirates in 2019, Order of St.Andrew by Russia in 2019, and Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddin by the Maldives in 2019. 

Now he has been conferred with the Legion of Merit award by the United States. The Legion of Merit medal was established by the US Congress on 20 July 1942. It is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.