Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (March 22) embarked on a two-day state visit to Bhutan. He is scheduled to return on Saturday. The Prime Minister’s visit is part of the Indian government's emphasis on its 'Neighbourhood First Policy'.
PM Modi was accorded a red carpet welcome upon his arrival at the Paro airport. He was warmly received by Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan, at Paro airport and accorded a ceremonial welcome. Bhutanese people lined the entire 45-kilometre route from Paro International Airport to Thimphu, which was also decked up with Indian and Bhutanese flags, to greet the Indian PM.
PM Modi was earlier scheduled to depart on Thursday but the visit was postponed due to inclement weather conditions in the Himalayan nation. The Bhutanese prime minister wrote on X in Hindi: "Bhutan mein aapka swagat hai mere bade bhai @narendramodi Ji."
The visit could be dubbed "rare" as there was only one incident when Indian Prime Ministers made any foreign trips after the announcement of Lok Sabha election dates. In 2009, the then Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, had visited the United Kingdom to attend the G20 meeting.
PM Modi tweets
The Prime Minister posted on X that he will participate in various programmes aimed at "further cementing the India-Bhutan partnership".
"On the way to Bhutan, where I will be attending various programmes aimed at further cementing the India-Bhutan partnership. I look forward to talks with Majesty the King of Bhutan, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay @tsheringtobgay," PM Modi posted on X,
PM Modi's schedule
During the visit, PM Modi will receive an audience with Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan, and Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan. He will also hold talks with the Prime Minister of Bhutan. The visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to "exchange views on bilateral and regional matters of interest and deliberate on ways to expand and intensify our exemplary partnership for the benefit of our peoples", the MEA said in a previous statement.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to receive a grand welcome at the Tashichho Dzong, a traditional Buddhist monastery and the seat of the Bhutanese government. PM Modi will also inaugurate the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital in Thimphu, a state-of-the-art hospital, built with the assistance of the Government of India in Thimphu.
This follows a prior visit by Tobgay to India, wherein both leaders reviewed the progress in various areas of bilateral partnership, including infrastructure development, connectivity, energy, hydropower cooperation, people-to-people exchanges and development cooperation. PM Modi and Tobgay reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the special and unique India-Bhutan friendship. It was during these talks that Tobgay invited his Indian counterpart to Bhutan.
(With PTI inputs)
