Prime Minister Modi describes his visit to Bhutan as “very special”
India will always be a reliable friend and trusted partner for Bhutan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said as he concluded a successful two-day state visit to Bhutan on Saturday (March 23, 2024). In a special gesture, Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck was present at the Paro airport to give him a warm send-off.
 
Prime Minister Modi, who described his visit to Bhutan as “very special”, said it will add more vigour to the India-Bhutan friendship. While in Thimphu, he held detailed discussions on the entire gamut of bilateral ties with the King of Bhutan as well as Prime Minister Tobgay.

He was also conferred the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, Bhutan’s highest civilian honour.
 
“I am honoured by the special gesture by His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of coming to the airport as I leave for Delhi. This has been a very special Bhutan visit. I had the opportunity to meet His Majesty the King, PM @tsheringtobgay and other distinguished people of Bhutan,” Prime Minister Modi said on social media platform X.
 
“Our talks will add even more vigour to the India-Bhutan friendship. I am also grateful to have been conferred the Order of the Druk Gyalpo. I am very thankful to the wonderful people of Bhutan for their warmth and hospitality. India will always be a reliable friend and partner for Bhutan,” he added.

This was Prime Minister Modi’s third visit to Bhutan since assuming office. In June 2014, he was in Bhutan on a state visit, his first to a foreign country after assuming office. He visited Bhutan again in August 2019 and launched four major bilateral projects.
 
His two-day state visit to Bhutan had been postponed by a day in view of unfavourable weather conditions over Paro airport, where he was scheduled to land.