- Saturday, April 27, 2024
The Indian prime minister, who visited Bhutan for the third time, will receive the country’s highest civilian award, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo.
By: Shubham Ghosh
INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday (22) received a warm welcome in Thimphu in Bhutan after he reached the Himalayan nation for a two-day state visit. On arrival at his hotel in the capital city, he was greeted by youngsters with a graceful ‘Garba’ performance to the tunes of a song penned by the prime minister himself.
‘Garba’ is a popular dance form that originates in Gujarat, the home state of Modi.
Video footage showed the performers presenting the dance in traditional Gujarati attire in front of the PM. The latter also met and interacted with members of the Indian diaspora and the local people before the performance.
Read: India president meets new Bhutan PM in Delhi, assures India’s reliability
#WATCH | A special welcome for PM Modi in Bhutan as youngsters from the country perform Garba on the song written by the PM pic.twitter.com/clVELLQeuk
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024
Modi, who is on his third visit to the northern neighbour which has been a time-tested ally of India, landed at Paro International Airport in Bhutan on Friday morning. He was welcomed by his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay at the airport who also called him his “elder brother” in a tweet. The Indian leader was also given a guard of honour.
Read: Former PM Tshering Tobgay wins Bhutan elections; Modi congratulates
#WATCH | Paro, Bhutan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives Guard of Honour after his arrival at Bhutan's Paro International Airport pic.twitter.com/xwX50Y2cjJ
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2024
Modi, who visited Bhutan as the first country after becoming the prime minister in 2014, will receive the country’s highest civilian award, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo. He was earlier scheduled to visit the country on Thursday (21) but it was later postponed due to inclement weather conditions.
#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
Welcoming Modi, Tobgay, who recently visited India and met both the Indian president and prime minister, said in Hindi on X, “Bhutan mein aapka swagat hai mere bade bhai @narendramodi Ji (You are welcome to Modi, my elder brother Narendra Modi).”
भूटान में आपका स्वागत है, मेरे बड़े भाई। @narendramodi Ji pic.twitter.com/Kjc87llncg
— Tshering Tobgay (@tsheringtobgay) March 22, 2024
People were seen lining up the entire 45-kilometre route from the airport to Thimphu. Flags of India and Bhutan were also put up on the road leading up to the hotel.
I am grateful to the people of Bhutan, especially the young children, for the memorable welcome to their beautiful country. pic.twitter.com/R2JuC1CfYg
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 22, 2024
During his visit, Modi will attend various programmes to strengthen the two South Asian neighbours’ bilateral partnership.
He will receive an audience with Bhutanese king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan, and Jigme Singye Wangchuck, his father and former king. He will also hold talks with the Prime Minister of Bhutan.
In a statement, the Indian external affairs ministry said, “Prime Minister will 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.”
Earlier this week, the ministry had said in another statement that the Indian PM’s visit would provide an opportunity for both sides to “exchange views on bilateral and regional matters of interest and deliberate on ways to expand and intensify our exemplary partnership for the benefit of our peoples”.
