NEW DELHI: NEW DELHI:
Prime Minister
Narendra Modi received a heartfelt reception in
Bhutan
on Friday, as the Bhutanese populace lined the entire 45-kilometer stretch from Paro International Airport to Thimphu. Both sides of the route were adorned with flags from both India and Bhutan.
The Bhutanese prime minister Tshering Tobgay wrote on ‘X’ in Hindi: “Bhutan mein aapka swagat hai mere bade bhai @narendramodi Ji (Welcome to Bhutan my big brother)”
Later in the day, a gathering of Bhutanese youths donned traditional Indian attire as they performed a Garba dance, set to a song composed by Prime Minister Modi himself, as a warm gesture to welcome him to their nation.
Following the welcome ceremony, the warmth extended to Prime Minister Modi was far from over.
Bhutan extended the warm gesture to welcome as PM Modi was awarded its highest honor “Order of the Druk Gyalpo”, making him the first foreign leader to receive this prestigious award.
Additionally, The
King of Bhutan
is hosting a private dinner for PM Modi, a gesture never extended to any previous Indian Prime Minister with this PM Modi becomes the first Indian Prime Minister to be hosted at K5 Residence Lingkana Palace, which is a significant honor.
Meanwhile minister of external affairs for India S Jaishankar in his X post congratulated PM Modi and said, “Congratulate PM
Narendra Modi
ji on being conferred the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, Bhutan’s highest civilian decoration, by His Majesty the King of Bhutan. That PM Modi is the first foreign leader to be conferred this high distinction is a reflection both of his personal stature and our unique relationship. This decision by His Majesty further strengthens the India-Bhutan bonds of friendship and celebrates the exceptional India-Bhutan ties.”
Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay was on a five-day
visit
to India last week, his first foreign trip after assuming charge of the top office in January.
During his visit, he had called on President Droupadi Murmu and met Prime Minister Modi. He also held meetings with captains of various industries, besides other important engagements.
Ahead of Modi’s visit, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a statement also said that India and Bhutan share “a unique and enduring partnership which is rooted in mutual trust, understanding and goodwill”.
“The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan and the government’s emphasis on its ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’,” the MEA said.
“India and Bhutan share a unique and enduring partnership which is rooted in mutual trust, understanding and goodwill. Our shared spiritual heritage and warm people to people ties add depth and vibrancy to our exceptional relations,” the ministry said.
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 people”, the statement added.
(With inputs from agencies)