The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been conferred with Amir Amanullah Khan Award, Afghanistan’s highest civilian honour. He was bestowed the honour by President Ashraf Ghani after the inauguration of the landmark Afghan-India Friendship Dam in Herat yesterday.
The Prime Minister shared his sentiments on Twitter saying, "My deepest gratitude to the Government of Afghanistan for conferring the Amir Amanullah Khan Award."
It is the Highest Civilian honour bestowed by Afghan government to Afghan national as well as foreigners in appreciation of their services. The citation on the reverse of the medal reads: “nishan-e dawlati Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan”, or "State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan.”
Background:
The Amir Amanullah Khan medal is highest civilian honor of Afghanistan. The award is named after the Afghan national hero, Amanullah Khan (Ghazi), who championed the cause of Afghanistan’s freedom. He was the ruler of the Emirate of Afghanistan from 1919-1929 who led Afghanistan to independence.
King Amanullah advanced Afghanistan’s modernist constitution, incorporated equal rights and individual freedom. He modernised the country, creating cosmopolitan schools for both boys and girls and also increased Afghanistan’s trade with Europe and Asia. The vision of King Amanullah for an independent and modern Afghanistan remains as relevant today as ever.
King Amanullah had strong ties with India, and moved here briefly in 1929. His affectionate ties for the country continue to be reflected in the strong partnership between the two nations.
PM Modi received the Amir Amanullah Khan award following the inauguration of the Afghan-India Friendship Dam in Heart on 4 June. As the first Indian, and amongst only a handful of foreign leaders to receive the award, it signifies the strength of a unique relationship and is a testament to the personal commitment of the PM in advancing India-Afghan ties.
This award was instituted by the Afghanistan government in 2006. Previous recipients include: US President George Bush, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, NATO General James Jones, former Afghan President spiritual leader Sibghatullah Mujaddedi, and Afghan Chief Justice (CJ) Abdul Salam Azimi
A true brotherhood is honoured. PM is awarded the Amir Amanullah Khan Award, Afghanistan's highest civilian honour pic.twitter.com/DdvASFSF62
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) June 4, 2016
Afghanistan bestowing its highest civilian honour Amir Amanullah Khan Award on PM @narendramodi is matter of pride & honour for all Indians.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 5, 2016
This award is yet another testimony of increasing warmness in India's relations with the world & India's important role in global affairs.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 5, 2016
यह सम्मान विश्व में वैश्विक मामलों में भारत की महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका और
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 5, 2016
संबंधों में उत्साह में वृद्धि का प्रमाण है। pic.twitter.com/GFCqJD2xIy
Conferment of Afghanistan's top civilian honor Amir Amanullah Khan Award to PM @narendramodi reflects emotions of Afghan people towards us.
— ShivrajSingh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) June 4, 2016
We highly appreciate remarkable determination & courage of Afghan people. They have demonstrated how collective will can defeat terrorism.
— ShivrajSingh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) June 4, 2016
PM @narendramodi being conferred highest civilian honour of Afghanistan embodies India's goodwill overseas. Hearty congratulations to PM!
— Anandiben Patel (@anandibenpatel) June 4, 2016
Congrats 2 PM Sh @narendramodi 4 being conferred With #Afghanistan's Top Civilian Honour-Amir Amanullah Khan Award pic.twitter.com/XZePZ028LG
— M Venkaiah Naidu (@MVenkaiahNaidu) June 4, 2016
As an Indian, I feel very proud that our Prime Minister has been conferred Afghanistan's highest civilian award! https://t.co/2rUbgahz3K
— Jayant Sinha (@jayantsinha) June 5, 2016
PM Modi presented with Amir Amanullah Khan Award, Afghanistan's highest civilian honour https://t.co/wGUIpW6CA2
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) June 4, 2016
via NMApp
Afghanistan conferred its highest civilian honour Amir Amanullah Khan Award on Hon @narendramodi ji.
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) June 5, 2016
Proud moment! pic.twitter.com/yCRHF8WPSv
Maharashtra salutes Hon @narendramodi ji's unique leadership for uniting the world for peace and thanks Afghanistan for honouring it!
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) June 5, 2016
PM Sh @narendramodi presented Afghanistan's top civilian award. A RARE honour for India.@AmitShah @YuvaiTV pic.twitter.com/zENBmSGQMS
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) June 4, 2016
Many Congratulations to PM Shri @narendramodi ji for being awarded Afghanistan’s highest civilian honour ‘Amir Amanullah Khan Award’.
— Ram Vilas Paswan (@irvpaswan) June 5, 2016
I congratulate Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji on being conferred Afghanistan’s highest civilian honour, the Amir Amanullah Khan Award.
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) June 5, 2016
Congratulations to PM @narendramodi for receiving Afghanistan's highest civilian award, once again affirming India's global recognition.
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) June 5, 2016
Heartiest congratulations to Hon'ble PM for being conferred the Amir Amanullah Khan Award by the Govt of Afghanistan https://t.co/loV1cajN2O
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) June 5, 2016
I congratulate Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji on being awarded Afghanistan's highest civilian honour, the Amir Amanullah Khan Award
— Maneka Gandhi (@Manekagandhibjp) June 5, 2016
Its a proud moment for every Indian that PM Sh. @narendramodi has received Afghanistan's highest civilian award.Attests PM's global stature.
— Birender Singh (@ChBirenderSingh) June 5, 2016
An honour for India and our leader. India is getting the status it deserves in international geopolitical scene. https://t.co/X5GLjQMhi5
— Narendra Singh Tomar (@nstomar) June 5, 2016
After highest Civilian award by Saudi Arabia, Modi ji again presented Afghanistan's highest Civilian award Amir Amanullah Khan. Proud moment
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) June 5, 2016
Congratulations to Hon. PM @narendramodi ji on being conferred the Amir Amanullah Khan Award! #ProudMoment
— Vasundhara Raje (@VasundharaBJP) June 5, 2016
@narendramodi HON PM honoured with highest civilian award by #Afghanistan prez.Our PM's Leadership recognised globally. Proud moment for us
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) June 5, 2016
माननीय प्रधान मंत्री जी अफ़ग़ानिस्तान के सर्वोच्च नागरिक सम्मान द्वारा सम्मानित किये जाने पर आपको हार्दिक बधाई @narendramodi @PMOIndia
— Kalraj Mishra (@KalrajMishra) June 5, 2016
Proud our PM @narendramodi conferred with Afghan's Highest civilian honour. This shows India's global importance. https://t.co/bSpima01md
— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) June 5, 2016
