Bhutan's Monarch Arrives in New Delhi for a Two-Day Official Engagement
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New Delhi, Dec 5 (NationPress) Bhutan's Monarch Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck received a gracious welcome from External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar upon his arrival in New Delhi on Thursday for a two-day official engagement in India.
He was accompanied by Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck and senior officials from the Royal Government of Bhutan.
Taking to X, Jaishankar expressed, "Honoured to welcome His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, on his arrival in New Delhi today."
"His visit will further strengthen our unique bonds of friendship," he continued.
During this visit, the Bhutanese King is scheduled to hold a series of bilateral meetings with Indian leaders to review diplomatic relations.
The high-profile visit, which will conclude on Friday, signifies the deep-rooted ties and mutual respect between the two neighboring nations, as stated in an official press release by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The Bhutanese King will also engage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking another significant chapter in the ongoing high-level dialogues between the two nations.
Furthermore, Jaishankar and other senior officials from the Government of India are expected to pay a visit to the Bhutanese King. These discussions aim to enhance current collaborations and explore new pathways for bilateral cooperation, according to the press release.
India and Bhutan enjoy an exceptional and exemplary relationship built on mutual trust, goodwill, and understanding.
The genesis of these ties dates back to 1949, when both countries signed the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, which was renewed in February 2007 to reflect changing dynamics. Formal diplomatic relations were established in 1968, solidifying this enduring partnership.
One notable aspect of the bilateral relationship is their economic interdependence. Approximately 50,000 Indian citizens work in Bhutan across various sectors, including construction, education, and infrastructure projects. Some workers even commute daily from India to Bhutan's border towns for their employment.
This integration illustrates the depth of cooperation and shared prosperity between the two nations.
The scope of collaboration has significantly expanded in recent years, moving beyond traditional sectors like hydropower to include emerging fields such as digital infrastructure, education, and space technology.
Bhutan became the second country to adopt the BHIM App, enhancing financial connections, and India has supported Bhutan's 'Digital Drukyul' initiative, which aims to establish a robust optical fiber network across all 20 districts.
Space cooperation is another promising avenue of collaboration.
Following the 2019 visit of India's Prime Minister to Bhutan, the jointly developed 'India-Bhutan SAT' was launched in November 2022.
This initiative, along with other technological partnerships, highlights the progressive nature of their bilateral relationship.
In education, India continues to assist Bhutan in addressing shortages of STEM teachers, thereby enhancing the country's human resource capabilities.
The King's visit serves as an opportunity to review and advance these initiatives, further solidifying the long-standing friendship and exploring new frontiers of collaboration between India and Bhutan.
