New Delhi: The King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who is on a 3-day state visit to India met President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.
President Droupadi Murmu welcomed His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at Rashtrapati Bhavan today. 🇮🇳🇧🇹 pic.twitter.com/DE1YbY5ixT
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) April 4, 2023
The meeting between the Wangchuck and PM Modi is seen as an opportunity to take stock of progress in bilateral relations.
“Taking forward unique relationship of friendship & cooperation. PM @narendramodi received His Majesty the King of Bhutan ahead of their talks. An opportunity to take stock of progress in bilateral ties,” the official spokesperson of MEA tweeted.
Taking forward unique relationship of 🇮🇳🇧🇹 friendship & cooperation.
PM @narendramodi received His Majesty the King of Bhutan ahead of their talks.
An opportunity to take stock of progress in bilateral ties. pic.twitter.com/XRqPLswvGM
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) April 4, 2023
Earlier in the day, Bhutan King attended paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. He also signed the visitors’ book at Rajghat.
Taking to Twitter, the official spokesperson of MEA, Arindam Bagchi wrote, “A tribute to Bapu’s lasting legacy! His Majesty the King of Bhutan paid his respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.”
A tribute to Bapu’s lasting legacy!
His Majesty the King of Bhutan paid his respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. pic.twitter.com/oVtOwtu7Is
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) April 4, 2023
He also met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval earlier on Tuesday.
On Monday, Bhutan King was welcomed by the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who later paid him a visit in the evening. Jaishankar stated that he “truly appreciates” the Bhutan King’s goal of advancing the special relationship with India.
Deeply privileged to call on His Majesty the King of Bhutan today evening.
His Majesty’s vision for Bhutan’s future and for strengthening the unique partnership with India is deeply appreciated. pic.twitter.com/5XJMKCO1y0
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 3, 2023
The Bhutan King is in India at the invitation of President Droupadi Murmu. He will call on President Murmu later on Tuesday.
The king is being accompanied by Bhutan’s Foreign Minister Dr Tandi Dorji and other senior officials.
King Wangchuck’s visit is in keeping with the long-standing tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two nations, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.
The MEA noted, “India and Bhutan enjoy unique ties of friendship and cooperation, which are characterized by understanding and mutual trust.”
The external affairs minister said that the Bhutan King’s visit will give a chance to both nations to review bilateral cooperation and to further advance the close bilateral partnership, including economic and development cooperation.
The unique relationship between India and Bhutan has been preserved by a custom of frequent high-level exchanges between the two nations such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August 2019 and Jaishankar’s visits in 2019 and April 2022.
Moreover, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra visited Bhutan in January this year. Earlier in February 2023, a Parliamentary delegation from Bhutan led by Wangchuk Namgyel, Speaker of the National Assembly of Bhutan called on President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.