Bhutanese King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, on Wednesday held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Sushma Swaraj. The King is on a four-day State visit to India, on the invitation of Modi, to give a fresh impetus to the relations that faced tough challenge during the standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in Bhutan's Doklam plateau. He also met the President of India.
This is King’s first visit to India since June when India and China locked horns over the alleged attempts by Chinese to alter the status quo in the Doklam plateau that falls under Bhutan. Bhutan was the first country that Prime Minister Modi visited after taking office in 2014.
The King is accompanied by Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuk and the one-and-half-year old Prince, Jigme Namgyal Wangchuk, who is all over the news and social media for his cuteness. On Tuesday Swaraj received the royal family at the airport where Swaraj was seen greeting the little prince. On Wednesday too the Ministry of External Affairs released another photograph of the young prince. “#Adorableguest. EAM @SushmaSwaraj greets the Gyalsey (Prince) of Bhutan on his first visit to India as His Majesty and Her Majesty look on," MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.
Wangchuck on Wednesday also met President Ram Nath Kovind. The visit has provided an opportunity to both the sides for reviewing the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation, and to advance the special ties between the two countries. India and Bhutan will be
celebrating the golden jubilee of their diplomatic relations in 2018.
The discussions between India and Bhutanese delegations focused largely on the security situation and the growing Chinese footprint in the region. In this regard Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will meet King Wangchuck on Thursday. Investments and trade is another aspect of focus that will be discussed at length when Finance Minister Arun Jaitley calls on the King tomorrow. On Thursday Wangchuck is scheduled to meet Vice President Venkaiah Naidu.
"India and Bhutan enjoy unique ties of friendship, which are characterised by deep understanding and mutual trust. The Royal visit of Their Majesties is in keeping with the long standing tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries," Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bhutan said in a statement.