Source: ET
Context
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi was formally conferred with The Order of the White Double Cross, First Class, the highest state honour of the Slovak Republic. The honour was presented during his Slovakia visit in June 2026, the first by an Indian Prime Minister since Slovakia’s founding in 1993. The Order was instituted on 1 March 1994 to honour foreign citizens who have rendered exceptional services to the development of relations with Slovakia or have enhanced its international standing. The decoration is legally conferred exclusively by the President of the Slovak Republic.
The Award
- Name: The Order of the White Double Cross (Rad Bieleho dvojkriza).
- Class conferred: First Class (the highest).
- Country: Slovak Republic.
- Conferred on: PM Narendra Modi.
- Year: 2026.
What is the Order of the White Double Cross?
- The highest state decoration awarded by the Slovak Republic.
- Specifically designed to honour foreign citizens who have:
- Rendered exceptional services to development of bilateral relations.
- Significantly enhanced the international standing of Slovakia.
History of the Order
- Formally instituted: 1 March 1994.
- Following: The peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia (Velvet Divorce) in 1993.
- Created at the birth of independent Slovak Republic.
Other State Honours Conferred on PM Modi (2026)
| Nation | Highest State Award |
|---|---|
| Slovak Republic | The Order of the White Double Cross, First Class |
| Dominica | Dominica Award of Honour |
| Guyana | The Order of Excellence |
| Barbados | Honorary Freedom of Barbados |
Total Foreign State Honours to PM Modi
PM Modi has received numerous foreign state honours, making him one of the most decorated Indian leaders globally. Notable past honours include:
- Order of Zayed (UAE, 2019).
- King Hamad Order of the Renaissance (Bahrain, 2019).
- Legion of Merit (Commander) (USA, 2020).
- Russia’s Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle (2024).
- Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross (Brazil, 2024).
- Companion of the Order of Logohu (Papua New Guinea, 2023).
- Order of the Druk Gyalpo (Bhutan, 2024).
- And several others.
About Slovakia
- Capital: Bratislava.
- Currency: Euro (since 2009).
- Population: about 5.4 million.
- Government: Parliamentary republic.
- Founded: 1 January 1993 (after the Velvet Divorce that split Czechoslovakia).
- EU member: Since 2004.
- NATO member: Since 2004.
- Current PM: Robert Fico.
- Current President: Peter Pellegrini (since June 2024).
Practice MCQs
Q1. With reference to the Order of the White Double Cross, consider the following statements:
- The Order of the White Double Cross is the highest state decoration of the Slovak Republic.
- It was formally instituted on 1 March 1994 after Slovakia’s founding in 1993.
- The decoration is legally conferred exclusively by the President of the Slovak Republic.
- PM Narendra Modi was conferred with the Second Class in 2026.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
(Statement 4 is wrong; PM Modi was conferred with the FIRST CLASS, NOT the Second Class.)
Q2. With reference to Slovakia, consider the following statements:
- Slovakia was founded on 1 January 1993 after the Velvet Divorce.
- Slovakia is a member of the European Union (since 2004) and NATO (since 2004).
- Slovakia’s national symbol is the White Double Cross.
- Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
Q3. With reference to PM Modi’s state honours in 2026, consider the following statements:
- Slovakia’s Order of the White Double Cross, First Class.
- Dominica Award of Honour.
- Guyana’s The Order of Excellence.
- Barbados’s Honorary Freedom of Barbados.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
Q4. With reference to the Velvet Divorce, consider the following statements:
- The Velvet Divorce was the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia.
- It took effect on 1 January 1993.
- It split Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
- The Velvet Divorce was a violent civil war.
Which of the above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
(Statement 4 is wrong; the Velvet Divorce was a PEACEFUL dissolution, NOT violent.)
Answer Key
- (c), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because PM Modi was conferred with the First Class.
- (d), All four statements are correct.
- (d), All four statements are correct.
- (a), Statements 1, 2, 3 are correct; Statement 4 is wrong because the Velvet Divorce was peaceful.
Exam Relevance
| Exam | Relevance |
|---|---|
| UPSC Prelims | GS Paper II on International Relations (Slovakia, India’s foreign policy, state honours) |
| UPSC Mains | GS Paper II on International Relations, Foreign Policy |
| BPSC and State PCS | International Affairs, Current Affairs |
| Banking and NABARD | General Awareness on international affairs |
| SSC, Insurance, Railway | Static and Current GK on Slovakia, EU, NATO, state honours |
| Defence (NDA, CDS, AFCAT) | International affairs |
| Foreign Service | India’s foreign policy, Central Europe |
