New Delhi [India], February 21 (HBTV): Congress Member of Parliament and former UN diplomat Shashi Tharoor has been conferred with the highest French civilian honor, Chevalier de la Legion d'honneur, for being a ‘friend’ of France and working to deepen Indo-French ties.  

Tharoor was conferred with honor by the chairman of the French Senate, Gerard Larcher, at an event in French Residence. 

"The highest French civilian award comes in recognition of Tharoor's tireless efforts to deepen Indo-French ties, commitment to international peace and cooperation, and as a long-standing friend of France," the French Embassy in India said in a statement.

The statement appreciated the 'remarkable personality' of the Thiruvananthapuram MP for his range of talents. 

"Be it as a diplomat at the United Nations, where he worked to respond to some of the world's toughest crises, and served as Under-Secretary-General, as a renowned writer who has authored works imbued with the spirit of a contemporary Indian odyssey, or as a statesman in India," the statement said. 

Tharoor has also held the portfolios of minister of State for External Affairs, and Human Resource Development. He has also served key parliamentary standing committees, including External Affairs, and Communications and Information Technology. 

He is the author of numerous books of non-fiction and fiction, some of which have been translated into French, the Embassy stated.

The diplomat-turned-politician served in many positions at the United Nations. He was also appointed director of Communications and Special Projects and Executive Assistant to Secretary-General Kofi Annan. 

The chairman of the French Senate Gerard Larcher called him a "friend of France", and a 'Francophone' with a keen understanding of the country and its culture. 

"Through his outstanding career as a diplomat, author and politician, Shashi Tharoor has embraced the world with a thirst for knowledge and an intelligence that has led him to live several lifetimes in one, and all of them in service to India and a better world. Dr Tharoor is also a true friend of France, a Francophone with a keen understanding of France and its culture. Through this award which I have the privilege to confer, the French Republic recognizes your accomplishments, your friendship, your love of France, your commitment to a fairer world," he said.  

'An Era of Darkness', 'Pax Indica' and 'The Great Indian Novel' are some of the popular titles among the plethora of books Tharoor has written.                

The three-time Congress MP said he is 'immensely honored' by the award. He called the award an acknowledgement of the deepening Franco-Indian relations. 

(ANI) This is a syndicated news feed. HBTV has edited the story for brevity and clarity.