- Topic: Awards & Honours / International Relations
- Date of Award: December 16, 2025
- Location: Addis International Convention Centre, Addis Ababa
- Conferred By: Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali
1. The Award Details
- Name of Award: “The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia” (Grand Honour Nishan).
- Significance: This is Ethiopia’s highest civilian honour.
- Historic First: PM Narendra Modi became the first world leader (Head of State/Government) ever to receive this specific award.
- Citation: The award recognises his “exceptional contribution towards strengthening the India-Ethiopia partnership” and his leadership of the Global South.
2. Key Exam Facts
- Dedication: In his acceptance speech, PM Modi dedicated the honour to the “1.4 billion people of India” and the Indian teachers who have taught in Ethiopia for generations.
- The “28th” Milestone: With this award, the total number of top international honours conferred upon PM Modi stands at 28 (including recent ones from Nigeria, Guyana, and Dominica in late 2024/2025).
- Diplomatic Gesture: The award ceremony took place during the visit, where ties were elevated to a “Strategic Partnership,” signalling Ethiopia’s pivot towards India for development cooperation.
3. Comparison with Recent Awards (2024-2025)
| Country | Award Name | Context |
| Ethiopia | Great Honour Nishan | First World Leader to receive it; Focus on Global South. |
| Nigeria | GCON (Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger) | Second foreign dignitary (after Queen Elizabeth II) to receive it. |
| Guyana | Order of Excellence | For support during the COVID-19 pandemic and developmental aid. |
4. Potential Exam Questions
- Direct Question: Which Indian leader became the first global Head of State to receive “The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia”?
- (Answer: PM Narendra Modi)
- Count Based: The Ethiopian highest civilian award marks approximately which number in the list of international honours received by PM Modi?
- (Answer: 28th)
- Statement-Based: Consider the following statements about the “Great Honour Nishan”:
- It was conferred on PM Modi in December 2025. (True)
- He is the first foreign leader to receive it. (True)
