Will Bhutan PM and Chief Abbot Attend Consecration Ceremony in India?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Bhutan PM and Chief Abbot visiting India for temple consecration.
- Significant cultural ties between India and Bhutan.
- Moenlam Chenmo event promoting world peace scheduled in September.
- Strengthening of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
- Previous engagements showcase the friendship and collaboration.
New Delhi, Aug 3 (NationPress) The Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay, along with Je Khenpo Trulku Jigme Choeda, the Chief Abbot of Bhutan, will embark on an official journey to India this Thursday to participate in the consecration ceremony of the Royal Bhutan Temple located in Rajgir, Bihar, as announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday.
As per the MEA, after the consecration ceremony, Bhutan's Prime Minister will also visit the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
“The consecration of the Royal Bhutan Temple at Rajgir signifies the shared spiritual and cultural heritage of Buddhism between India and Bhutan. The land for this temple has been generously allocated by the Government of Bihar. The presence of His Holiness the Je Khenpo and the Bhutanese Prime Minister aligns with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between our nations, a defining characteristic of our special partnership,” the MEA's statement read.
According to Bhutan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Je Khenpo will oversee the consecration of the Bhutan Temple in Rajgir on Thursday.
This temple project was initiated in 2018 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bhutan and India.
Additionally, Je Khenpo will lead the Moenlam Chenmo (Prayer for World Peace), organized by the Zhung Dratshang (Central Monastic Body of Bhutan) in India, from September 6-8.
After the consecration ceremony in Rajgir, Prime Minister Tobgay will travel to Ayodhya and New Delhi for official discussions with the Indian Government, as reported by the Bhutanese Foreign Ministry.
Previously, in February, Prime Minister Tobgay visited India to take part in the inaugural Leadership Conclave of the School of Ultimate Leadership (SOUL), launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Addressing the audience at the SOUL Conclave at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Tobgay stated: "I am here as a student eager to learn, and I have been given this invaluable opportunity. I will absorb lessons of leadership from Prime Minister Modi, whom I regard as a big brother who consistently guides and supports me."
Commending PM Modi's leadership, Tobgay remarked, “In just a decade, PM Modi has set India on a path of remarkable development. His leadership has been a lighthouse of unprecedented transformation.”
India and Bhutan cherish a strong bond of friendship and collaboration, rooted in trust, goodwill, and mutual respect across all levels.