Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced his highly anticipated two-day state visit to Bhutan early Friday morning. Upon his arrival at Paro Airport, he was warmly received by his Bhutanese counterpart, Tshering Tobgay, marking the beginning of what is poised to be a significant diplomatic engagement between the two neighboring nations.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the visit, Prime Minister Modi, prior to his departure, stated, “I look forward to talks with Majesty the King of Bhutan, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.” Modi’s visit had been postponed previously due to adverse weather conditions in the Himalayan region.
Originally scheduled from March 21 to March 22, Modi’s visit is considered crucial, being potentially his final foreign engagement before the upcoming general elections. Adjustments in the itinerary were made through diplomatic channels to accommodate the revised dates.
The anticipation for Modi’s arrival was palpable across Bhutan, evident in the proliferation of posters and billboards welcoming him to the country. The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted that the visit presents an opportunity for both nations to deliberate on bilateral and regional issues and explore avenues to enhance their already robust partnership for the mutual benefit of their citizens.
This visit follows closely on the heels of Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay’s trip to India from March 14 to March 18. During Tobgay’s visit, Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to bolstering support for Bhutan’s development initiatives, including potential economic stimulus programs, and emphasized India’s focus on infrastructure development and connectivity enhancement in Bhutan.
A joint statement issued following Modi and Tobgay’s meeting underscored the enduring friendship between India and Bhutan as a pillar of regional stability. Both leaders pledged to deepen bilateral cooperation, with Modi affirming India’s dedication to assisting Bhutan in its aspirations to achieve high-income status, aligning with the vision of the Bhutanese monarchy.
In reciprocation, Prime Minister Tobgay expressed gratitude for India’s substantial developmental aid amounting to ₹5,000 crore for Bhutan’s previous five-year plan. The aid is earmarked for various developmental projects encompassing infrastructure, connectivity, agriculture, healthcare, education, skill development, and cultural preservation.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Bhutan is anticipated to further solidify the enduring friendship and strategic partnership between the two Himalayan neighbors, setting the stage for enhanced collaboration across various sectors in the years to come.
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