International Luminaries Recognized with Prestigious Padma Awards 2025
New Delhi [India], January 27: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the distinguished foreign recipients of the Padma Awards 2025, acknowledging their exceptional contributions to various fields. The Padma Awards, one of India’s highest civilian honors, are bestowed upon individuals who have made significant impact in areas such as art, literature, science, engineering, medicine, social work, and more.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed: “Commemorating excellence & contributions to society. Congratulations to our distinguished friends from abroad on being selected for Padma Awards 2025 by President Droupadi Murmu for their outstanding contribution in various fields.”
Among the notable international honorees is Osamu Suzuki of Japan, who has been posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan in the Trade and Industry category for his monumental impact on the global business world.
Vinod Dham from the United States has been conferred the Padma Bhushan in Science and Engineering for his pioneering contributions to the field of technology and innovation.
Eight individuals have been honored with the Padma Shri award, including prominent figures such as Ajay V Bhatt, Sethuraman Panchanathan from the US, and Chetan E Chitnis from France, all recognized for their work in science and engineering. The Padma Shri in Literature and Education was awarded to Stephen Knapp, Nitin Nohria (both from the US), and Arvind Sharma from Canada, acknowledging their exceptional contributions to academia and intellectual growth.
Additionally, the Padma Shri in Spiritualism was awarded to Jonas Masetti from Brazil, while Sheikha Shaikha Ali Al-Jaber Al-Sabah from Kuwait received the award in the field of Medicine.
The Padma Awards, categorized into Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, are conferred by the President of India in recognition of distinguished service to the nation and society. The awards are presented at a grand ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhawan, typically in March or April each year.
The list of Padma Awardees for 2025 includes a total of 139 honorees, with 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri recipients. Among the awardees are 23 women, alongside 10 distinguished foreign nationals, non-resident Indians (NRIs), persons of Indian origin (PIOs), and overseas citizens of India (OCIs). The awards also recognize 13 posthumous honorees, reflecting a broad and diverse range of contributions.
This year’s Padma Awards highlight the global reach of India’s recognition of outstanding contributions across various fields, celebrating those who have helped shape the country’s international standing and made a lasting impact on society.
