The announcement was made by the French Secretary General for Foreign Affairs Anne Marie Descot in front of a large gathering at Jawed Ashraf’s farewell reception on December 19, 2024 for his contribution to the promotion of India-France Strategic Partnership. The formal ceremony to confer the insignia is being done by the French Ambassador on March 18, 2026 at a ceremony in the Capital. The Legion of Honneur, instituted in 1802, is the highest category of French civilian award.