Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a red-carpet welcome as he arrived in Bhutan on Saturday on a two-day state visit during which he will hold talks with Bhutanese leaders to further deepen the bilateral ties. This is PM Modi's second visit to Bhutan and the first since his re-election.
During his visit, PM Modi is expected to sign 10 MoUs in fields like education amongst others. Five inaugurations are also expected to take place, including the Mangdechhu hydroelectric power plant and the ISRO-built earth station in Thimphu.
Ahead of his visit to the Himalyan nation, PM Modi had said that India-Bhutan partnership forms an important pillar of New Delhi's ''Neighbourhood First'' policy.
"India-Bhutan partnership today is of a special character and substance and forms an important pillar of Government of India's ''Neighbourhood First'' policy. I am confident that my visit will promote our time-tested and valued friendship with Bhutan and consolidate it further for the prosperous future and progress of the people of both our countries," he said in a pre-departure statement.
Modi added that his visit to Bhutan in the beginning of the current term reflects the high importance that the Government attaches to India's relations with the Himalayan nation.
Here are the updates from PM Modi's visit to Bhutan:
I am personally touched to see that Shri @narendramodi is acknowledging and responding to all the students, teachers and villagers greeting him on his way to Thimphu.This reinforces the fact that he is very down-to-earth and real. His affection for children are clear and visible. pic.twitter.com/wv4NAJaSdy
- PM Bhutan (@PMBhutan) August 17, 2019
#WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed by the Indian diaspora in Bhutan, at hotel Taj Tashi in Thimphu. pic.twitter.com/1PD0keJbAQ
- ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2019
Festivity in the air!
- Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) August 17, 2019
And as the carcade approaches Thimphu, people dressed in their finest clothes, come out to greet PM @narendramodi. pic.twitter.com/Zb3w8CKupy
Waving the Indian tricolour and the Bhutanese flags, people lined up along the route from Paro to the capital city Thimphu to welcome PM @narendramodi. pic.twitter.com/5q7jz9FEX7
- Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) August 17, 2019
A red carpet welcome!
- Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) August 17, 2019
Breathtaking setting for the welcome ceremony as PM @narendramodi lands at #Paro airport in Bhutan. As a gesture of extraordinary warmth and goodwill, PM @narendramodi welcomed by @PMBhutan Dr. Lotay Shering & other Ministers. pic.twitter.com/PJJPdvsLLm
A central pillar of our 'Neighbourhood First' policy.
- Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) August 17, 2019
Continuing the high-level exchanges between the two countries, PM @narendramodi departs for #Bhutan on a two-day visit. This is PM's second visit to Bhutan and the first since his re-election. pic.twitter.com/mkxAhm05gQ
