Bhutan King Wangchuk Arrives In India For 2-Day Visit; Meets PM Modi, Jaishankar
Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk is on a two-day visit to India, accompanied by Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuk.
Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk arrived in India on Thursday for a two-day visit to further cement the already close bilateral partnership between the two nations.
Wangchuk is accompanied by Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuk and senior officials of the Bhutanese government. The Bhutanese monarch was welcomed by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday. Wangchuk also met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Ahead of the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs said the two leaders are expected to deliberate on ways to further deepen bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas.
#WATCH | King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck calls on PM Narendra Modi, in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/pGousM1fQD
— ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2024
"India and Bhutan enjoy unique ties of friendship and cooperation, which are characterised by mutual understanding and trust," the MEA said.
"The visit shall provide both sides an opportunity to review the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation and to further advance the exemplary bilateral partnership across diverse sectors," it said in a statement.
Honoured to welcome His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, on his arrival in New Delhi today.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) December 5, 2024
His visit will further strengthen our unique bonds of friendship.
🇮🇳 🇧🇹 pic.twitter.com/LCnoJeVmLP
The Bhutan King's visit comes 10 days after the country's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay visited India.
Wangchuk's visit comes amid efforts by China to establish formal diplomatic relations with Bhutan. India and Bhutan are also looking at an expeditious resolution of their festering boundary row that could have implications for India's security interests.
Over a year ago, India has been closely following negotiations between Bhutan and China after then Bhutanese Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing.
China said Bhutan firmly abides by the one-China principle and stands ready to work with China for an early settlement of the boundary issue.
New Delhi has been following the negotiations as their boundary row could have implications for New Delhi's security interests, especially in the Doklam tri-junction.
Last year, China and Bhutan agreed to expedite and take simultaneous steps to implement a "three-step roadmap to resolve their festering boundary dispute.
Top Headlines
