Thimphu: India is committed to good neighbourly relations and assured Bhutan that change in government will not alter the dynamics of India-Bhutan ties, says Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on Monday.
In his address to joint session in Parliament of Bhutan, Modi said, “India is committed to good relations with its neighbours.”
Notify that Modi is on two day visit of Bhutan and on his second day of visit, Modi said if India progresses, it will directly impact the development of its neighbours.
63-year-old Modi arrived on Sunday on his first foreign trip after assuming office last month. Modi is accompanied by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and foreign secretary Sujatha Singh.
In his Hindi speech, Modi said, “Stability and development in India will help neighbours like Bhutan.”
He also lauded Bhutan for the smooth transition from monarchy to democracy in a span of seven years which showed maturity in governance in that country.
Indian PM recalls India’s historic ties with Bhutan and said his government would work towards further strengthening the relations between the two neighbours.
Modi stressed on the need to develop the region and said India is planning to open a university for Himalayan studies.
Indian PM also thanked the PM of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay for attending his swearing in ceremony in Delhi last month.
Modi had yesterday vowed to nurture bilateral relations which he described as “B4B – Bharat for Bhutan and Bhutan for Bharat” as he held wide-ranging talks with Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and Tobgay.
Modi also inaugurated the Supreme Court complex built by India as part of the developmental cooperation.
Modi had assured Bhutan’s leadership that India is committed to its happiness and progress even though the government in Delhi has changed during his talk.
Speaking at a banquet hosted by Bhutanese Prime Minister Tobgay last night, he had said India and Bhutan are “made for each other” considering the “glorious” traditional linkages between the two countries.
Bureau Report
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