Who was conferred Brazil’s highest civilian honour, “The Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross,” in 2025?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Answer: Option (2) is Narendra Modi.
Explanation:
- On July 8, 2025, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva conferred Brazil's highest civilian honor—'The Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross'—upon Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This honor was bestowed during PM Modi's official visit to Brasília. The award recognizes his role in strengthening strategic ties between India and Brazil, as well as his leadership on global platforms such as the G20 and BRICS. Prime Minister Modi dedicated this honor to the 1.4 billion people of India. With the receipt of this award, the total number of international honors conferred upon PM Modi by various nations has reached 26.
Additional Points:
- History of the Award: The 'National Order of the Southern Cross' was established in 1822 by Emperor Pedro I to commemorate Brazil's independence. It is specifically conferred upon foreign dignitaries who have played a pivotal role in deepening relations with Brazil.
- Other Options: While Nirmala Sitharaman (Finance Minister) and Rajnath Singh (Defense Minister) have made significant contributions in their respective fields, this specific foreign civilian honor belongs to a category typically reserved for Heads of State.
- Historical Context: PM Modi has become the first Indian Prime Minister in the last 57 years to undertake a bilateral visit to Brazil.
Potential Exam Questions and Answers:
Question: How many supreme civilian honors from foreign nations has Prime Minister Modi received to date?
Answer: 26 (as of July 2025).
Question: 'The Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross' is the highest civilian honor of which country?
Answer: Brazil.
Question: Which other countries' highest civilian honors did PM Modi receive in the year 2025?
Answer: Trinidad and Tobago, Ghana, and Cyprus.