PM Modi arrives in Bhutan for two-day visit to attend King’s 70th birthday celebrations

PM Modi arrives in Bhutan. Pic/X

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday arrived in Bhutan for a two-day visit. The Prime Minister during his visit will join the 70th birthday celebrations of the fourth king of the Himalayan nation, Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

Earlier during the day, the Indian Prime Minister was received at the Paro airport by Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, as reported by news agency PTI.

Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, while posting on social media platform X, wrote, "I join the entire nation in welcoming my elder brother, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to Bhutan."

As reported by news agency PTI, Prime Minister Modi will hold talks with Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and Prime Minister Tobgay.

Indian Prime Minister Modi and King Wangchuck will jointly inaugurate the 1020-megawatt Punatsangchhu-II hydroelectric project developed jointly by India and Bhutan, reported PTI.

Narendra Modi, during his 2-day visit to Bhutan, will also meet the fourth king and attend celebrations marking the 70th birthday of the former king of Bhutan.

Before leaving for his 2-day visit to Bhutan, the Prime Minister issued a statement, saying, "I am confident that my visit will further deepen our bonds of friendship and strengthen our efforts towards shared progress and prosperity," reported PTI.

He further added that, "It would be my honour to join the people of Bhutan as they mark the 70th birth anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth King."

"India and Bhutan enjoy exemplary ties of friendship and cooperation, rooted in deep mutual trust, understanding, and goodwill," PM Modi said.

Highlighting the India-Bhutan relations and exemplary friendship between the two nations, PM Modi said, "Our partnership is a key pillar of our Neighbourhood First Policy and a model for exemplary friendly relations between neighbouring countries," as per PTI.

In his X post, the prime minister further said the visit will "add new vigour to our bilateral relations".

"The visit seeks to strengthen the special ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday.

Prime Minister Modi's visit also coincides with the exposition of the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha, which have been sent to Bhutan from India.

(With inputs from PTI)