France Bestows Legion of Honour on Jawed Ashraf, Praising Robust India Partnership
In a distinguished ceremony held at the Embassy of France in New Delhi, Ambassador Thierry Mathou of France conferred the prestigious "Commandeur de la Legion d'Honneur" (Commander of the Legion of Honour) upon Ambassador Jawed Ashraf. This award, the highest civilian honour of the French Republic, recognizes Ashraf's exceptional contributions to enhancing the strategic partnership between France and India during his posting as India's Ambassador to France and Monaco from July 2020 to December 2024.
Ceremony Highlights Deepening Bilateral Ties
During the investiture, Ambassador Mathou emphasized the significance of Ashraf's efforts, stating, "Ambassador Ashraf's remarkable career and personal dedication have been pivotal in accelerating and deepening the bilateral relations between our two nations." He highlighted key achievements under Ashraf's tenure, including:
- Advancement of defence cooperation between India and France.
- Celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership in 2023.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation as guest of honour at the French National Day celebrations on July 14, 2023, which launched the Horizon 2047 Roadmap—a blueprint guiding the partnership for the next two decades.
Ashraf's Acceptance Speech Reflects Partnership Strength
In his acceptance remarks, Ambassador Jawed Ashraf expressed honour at receiving the award, noting it follows seven other distinguished Indian recipients. He said, "This is a reflection of the high importance and priority that France attaches to its relations with India and a testimony to the extraordinary progress in the India-France strategic partnership—strong, consistent and trusted—under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and HE President Emmanuel Macron." Ashraf underscored the partnership's value in shaping a better future for the turbulent world and thanked Ambassador Mathou for the conferral.
Recent Elevation to Special Global Strategic Partnership
Ambassador Mathou also highlighted the recent elevation of France-India relations to a "Special Global Strategic Partnership" during President Emmanuel Macron's official visit to India in February. This visit resulted in:
- Institutionalization of annual consultations between the foreign ministers of both countries.
- Over 20 deliverables across various sectors.
- Launch of the India-France Year of Innovation.
Historical Context of the Legion of Honour
Instituted in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Legion d'Honneur is France's highest civilian award, granted for outstanding service to the nation, irrespective of the recipient's nationality. The President of the French Republic serves as the Grand Master of the Order.
Jawed Ashraf's Distinguished Career
Ambassador Jawed Ashraf boasts a diplomatic career spanning over three decades, with postings in key missions such as Frankfurt, Berlin, Kathmandu, Washington DC, and Singapore. He has held senior roles in the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of External Affairs. Currently, he serves as the Chairman of the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), further contributing to India's international trade and diplomatic engagements.
