Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Bhutan on Friday morning, beginning a two-day state visit.
The prime minister was greeted by his Bhutanese counterpart, Tshering Tobgay, at Paro Airport.
#WATCH | Paro, Bhutan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Paro International Airport. The PM was welcomed by Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay pic.twitter.com/ypu3qpg4lF
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024
“On the way to Bhutan, where I will be attending various programmes aimed at further cementing the India-Bhutan partnership,” the prime minister shared on X before departing. “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 to Bhutan was postponed owing to bad weather in the Himalayan country.
Modi was supposed to visit Bhutan from March 21 to March 22, which was believed to be his final foreign tour before the general election. The two parties negotiated new dates through diplomatic channels.
In anticipation of the arrival of Modi, posters and billboards had gone up across Bhutan, welcoming him to the country, reported PTI.
The ministry of external affairs had said that the trip is an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on bilateral and regional matters and discuss ways to expand and intensify their “exemplary partnership” for the benefit of the people.
The prime minister’s Bhutan visit comes days after his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay visited India from March 14-18. India was the destination for Tobgay’s first foreign visit after assuming office in January.
During Tobgay’s visit, Modi said India will step up support for Bhutan’s 13th five-year plan, including considering a request for an economic stimulus programme, and New Delhi’s development aid will be geared towards creating infrastructure and building connectivity.
A joint statement issued after Modi and Tobgay’s meeting said that the premiers acknowledged that the exemplary ties of friendship between India and Bhutan are a source of strength for the region.
The two sides also pledged to further strengthen bilateral ties and Modi said India is committed to supporting Bhutan’s quest to become a high-income nation in line with the vision of the Bhutanese king.
On his part, Tobgay thanked the Indian government for its development aid of ₹5,000 crore for Bhutan’s last five-year plan.
The air will be geared towards developing infrastructure, building road, rail, air, and digital connectivity, and supporting sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, skilling, and cultural preservation, the statement added.
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(Source: HT)
