After a brief hiatus over his scheduled visit to Bhutan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced his official state visit to its Himalayan neighbor on Friday.
Earlier, being postponed due to ‘inclement weather conditions over Paro Airport’, the Prime Minister today arrived in Paro on a two-day (March 22-23) visit. And the details of the same have been shared by the Ministry of External Affairs.
In a statement released, the MEA said, “Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi arrived in Paro today on a State Visit to Bhutan from 22-23 March 2024. 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.”
Significantly, on his arrival to Bhutan, PM Modi received a warm welcome. In a special gesture, PM Tshering Tobgay warmly received PM Modi at Paro Airport. Thereafter, PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the newly elected Bhutan PM extended a welcome to PM Modi. Referring to PM Modi as Bade Bhai (a term used to denote an elder brother in Hindi), PM Tobgay said, “Welcome to Bhutan.”
It is pertinent to note that several diplomatic initiatives will be at the forefront during PM Modi’s visit. The most significant of all of them being the diplomatic meetings to be held between both sides.
During the visit, the Prime Minister will receive an audience with the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and Jigme Singye Wangchuk, the Fourth King of Bhutan. The Prime Minister will also hold talks with the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay.
Further, in a diplomatic reach, the Prime Minister 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.
