The French government has decided to award a high civilian award – the Legion of Honor – to India’s former envoy to Paris, Jawad Ashraf. The 1991 batch IFS officer is currently the Chairman of the Indian Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO). He served as India’s Ambassador to Singapore and Joint Secretary in the PMO before his retirement last year.
The announcement was made by French Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs Anne-Marie Disco in front of a large crowd at Javed Ashraf’s farewell ceremony on December 19, 2024 for his contribution to strengthening the strategic partnership between India and France. The French Ambassador will hold the official ceremony to award the badge on March 18, 2026, at a ceremony held in the capital.
Created in 1802, the Legion of Honor is the highest category of French civilian awards. Within the Legion of Honor there are several levels or grades similar to the Padma Awards. The Grand Cross, followed by the Grand Officer, then the Commander, then the Officer and the Knight.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the highest level of the Grand Cross in July 2023. He has not been awarded the Grand Officer’s Cross since 1956.
Although there have been many recipients of the Légion d’Honneur from India, the Commander of the Légion d’Honneur has so far been awarded to only seven Indians. They are GRD Tata, Ratan Tata, Professor Amartya Sen, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Satyajit Ray, painter SH Raza and singer Manna Dey. Ratan Tata was the last Indian recipient in 2016. Jawad Ashraf became the first Indian ambassador to receive the honour.
During his three-year stint as India’s ambassador to France, New Delhi and Paris took major steps in defense cooperation including the Indian Air Force acquiring 36 Rafale fighter jets as well as long-range weapons and missiles. Ashraf promoted joint development between India and France and projects in the defense sector including development of submarines and underwater drones.
