His Majesty The King is in New Delhi, India to attend the state funeral of the late former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The former Indian Prime Minister passed away yesterday at the age of 93 after a prolonged period of illness.
Upon arrival in New Delhi earlier today, His Majesty The King paid last respects to the Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s mortal remains at the BJP headquarters and also expressed condolence to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In the evening, His Majesty attended the funeral rites of the former Prime Minister at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal in New Delhi.
In Thimphu, a prayer ceremony was conducted along with the lighting of a thousand butter lamps this morning at the Kuenrey of the Tashichhodzong.
His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen, Their Majesties the Queen Mothers and members of the Royal Family graced the solemn ceremony.
The Chief Advisor of the Interim Government, Chairman of the Privy Council, and senior government officials were also present.
The national flag was flown at half-mast across the country as a mark of respect to the late Prime Minister.
The late Prime Minister first visited Bhutan as a Foreign Minister of India in 1977. He is fondly remembered in Bhutan for his tremendous goodwill towards the people and the leadership of Bhutan.
He provided unstinted support to the realization of Bhutan’s national objectives and contributed immensely to strengthening Indo-Bhutan relations and cooperation.
He referred to Indo-Bhutan relations as an “example of effective South-South cooperation, and a model worthy of emulation”.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a visionary leader, statesman and an inspirational poet. He devoted his life to the service of his nation and contributed to regional and international cooperation and understanding.
He was not only loved by the people of India but enjoyed the respect of the international community.
A news release from the foreign ministry stated that the government and people of Bhutan are deeply saddened by the news and join the government and people of India in mourning this great loss.
