TRUMP AWARDED ‘LEGION OF MERIT’ TO PM MODI
President of the United States of America, Donald Trump has conferred the Legion of Merit on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, one of the highest military honours of the US. The PM was given this honour for his exceptionally meritorious service as the leader of India. PM has been given this award for his role in “advancing the Indo-US relationship”. The award recognises the efforts of the people of India and the USA to improve bilateral ties, reflected in the bipartisan consensus in both countries about the Indo-US Strategic Partnership. Australian PM was presented the award for “addressing global challenges and promoting collective security”. Japanese PM for his “leadership and vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific”.
Indian Ambassador, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, accepted the award on behalf of PM Modi. USA has also awarded the ‘Legion of Merit’ to the Prime Ministers of Japan and Australia. All these four countries were key to reviving the Quadrilateral grouping since 2017, which is part of the Indo-Pacific strategy and is aimed at countering the growing dominance of China in the region.
WHAT IS LEGION OF MERIT?
• Legion of Merit is the US military decoration having distinct ranks. It is by far the first US medal that is awarded to the citizens of other countries. The award is being given since 1943. The medal is awarded for extraordinary services, fidelity shown by the person in either combat or non-combat situations. One of the USA’s highest military decorations, the award was instituted in 1942 by former President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
• It is awarded to members of the USA armed forces and also members of foreign (i.e. non-USA) armed forces and sometimes heads of state or government. The award is presented to foreign recipients in four categories: Chief Commander, Commander, Officer and Legionnaire. There have been two Indian recipients of the honour in the past: Field Marshal K M Cariappa in 1950, and Gen S M Srinagesh in 1955.
• It is unique in itself as any US military personnel can qualify only for the lowest rank of a legionnaire but a foreigner is eligible for higher ranks of officer, commander, and chief commander. The award is usually conferred upon foreign officials of high rank or on foreign military advisers. The badge is a five-rayed white cross, edged with red, placed on a green wreath with a blue centre consisting of 13 white stars. This honour holds significance as the four leaders receiving it are the key to revive the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, QUAD since 2017. It was a part of the Indo-Pacific strategy and was set as an alternative to the growing belligerence of China in the East.
• History of the legion of Merit: In September 2020, the Legion of Merit was awarded to late Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. He was the senior-most Royal in the Middle-East and was given the award for his efforts in bridging divides in the region. Among others, China’s Chiang Kai-shek was awarded in 1943, Gen Georgy Zhukov from the Soviet Army in 1945, France’s Charles de Gaulle in 1945, Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1960.
Some PERSONALITIES TO HAVE RECEIVED THE LEGION OF MERIT
• King George VI, Commonwealth armed forces in 1945
• Brother of Sir Baber Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana in 1946
• Shah Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, Iranian Armed Forces on October 7, 1947
• Field Marshal & Prime Minister Tin Maharaja Mohan Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, GBE, GCIE Royal Nepalese Army in 1948.
• Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa, OBE, Indian Army in 1950
• General Satyawant Mallana Srinagesh, Indian Army on September 2, 1955
• King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), Thai Armed Forces on June 28, 1960
QUADRILATERAL SECURITY DIALOGUE (QUAD)
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue also known as the Quad or Asian NATO is an informal strategic forum between the United States, Japan, Australia and India that is maintained by semi-regular summits, information exchanges and military drills between member countries. The forum was initiated as a dialogue in 2007 by then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, with the support of Vice President Dick Cheney of the US, Prime Minister John Howard of Australia and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India. The dialogue was paralleled by joint military exercises of an unprecedented scale, titled Exercise Malabar. The diplomatic and military arrangement was widely viewed as a response to increased Chinese economic and military power, and the Chinese government responded to the Quad by issuing formal diplomatic protests to its members.
SIGNIFICANCE OF QUAD GROUPING
• India has taken a significant turn in its policy for the subcontinent by joining quad grouping. It provides New Delhi a powerful platform to advance its interests in East Asia.
• It will deepen India’s ties with the US, Australia, and Japan with benefits in diplomatic leverage and sharing of burden in defense. It will also provide India a significant chance in shaping US policies in Afghanistan-Pakistan to the benefit of India.
• It will provide a powerful platform to advance Indian interest in the region and strengthen the Act East policy. Foster economic growth with better market adaptation, so it will lead to more employment opportunities in India.
• It helps India and the other three nations to counter China’s OBOR. As India is refused to join OBOR it helps India to connect with other markets like Central Asian and Southeast Asian markets.
OTHER STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN INDIA & US
Recently, India has signed the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) with the USA. BECA will enable the exchange of geospatial data and information between the two countries and will improve the accuracy of India’s missiles in precision strikes. The geospatial maps and charts to be shared, will be acquired from multiple sources like satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), reconnaissance aircraft, aerostats among others. As part of measures to enhance military to military cooperation, Liaison Officers at each other's establishments could be leveraged to enhance information sharing. BECA is one of the four foundational military communication agreements between the two countries.
The other three are:
• General Security Of Military Information Agreement.
• Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement.
• Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement.
Both countries released a Joint Statement on shared Indo-USA goals in the Asia-Pacific region and emphasised that the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea should not prejudice the legitimate rights and interests of any nation in accordance with international law. They also decided to expand joint capacity building activities with partner countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
(QUESTIONS 1-5)
Q.1 Which of the following nation's Prime Minister is not awarded with the 'Legion of Merit' by the US President Donald Trump?
A. Prime Minister of Australia
B. Prime Minister of Israel: ANSWER
C. Prime minister of Japan
D. Prime Minister of India
Q.2 Which of the following statement is/are incorrect about one of the honour of United States of America 'Legion of Merit'?
A. The award was instituted by US President John F. Kennedy: ANSWER
B. It is one of the highest military honours of US government.
C. It was given since the year of 1943.
D. None of the above
Q.3 The three country's which were awarded 'Legion of Merit' by US President are the members of which of the following along with the USA?
A. North Atlantic Treaty organization
B. ASEAN
C. Quad Groupings: ANSWER
D. Collective Security Treaty organization
Q.4 The honour presented by the US President is accepted by which of the following on the behalf of PM Narendra Modi?
A. Minister of External Affairs
B. Defence Minister of India
C. Indian Ambassador to USA: ANSWER
D. None of the above
Q.5 Which of the following is among the foundational military communication agreements recently signed between US and India?
A. Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA)
B. General Security Of Military Information Agreement.
C. Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement.
D. All of the above: ANSWER
