'Royal Order of Polar Star' Commander Grand Cross is the utmost recognition and honour that can be conferred upon a Head of the government.

The Swedish Crown Princess Victoria presented Prime Minister Modi with the Royal Order in a ceremony at the County Governor's residence, in the presence of Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

This is the 31st global honour for PM Modi. The Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf decided to confer the 'Royal Order of the Polar' Commander Grand Cross, upon Prime Minister Modi, according to the Swedish Prime Minister's office.

The Order of the Polar Star was instituted in 1748 and is awarded to individuals for their personal endeavours for Sweden or Swedish interests, the Swedish PM's office noted.

PM Modi and his Swedish counterpart Kristersson also exchanged special gifts commemorating Rabindranath Tagore and the enduring civilisational and intellectual ties between India and Sweden, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.