His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Gyaltsuen arrived in the country today, after a five-day official visit to the Indian Capital, New Delhi.
Upon arrival at the Paro International airport, His Majesty the King was received by the Prime Minister, Chief Justice, National Assembly Speaker and the Cabinet Ministers.
While in Delhi, Their Majesties met with the President of India, Dr. Pranab Mukherjee and held discussion on issues of mutual interests. His Majesty expressed appreciation to the President for inviting them to be the first guests at the refurbished guest wing of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
His Majesty the King also held extensive talks with the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh. The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations and on regional and international issues of mutual interest. They recalled the strong historical ties of friendship and understanding that exists between the two countries. His Majesty the King conveyed the Bhutanese people’s appreciation for the invaluable support and assistance that the Government of India provides to Bhutan.
A press release states that the Prime Minister of India and other leaders reiterated their full commitment and support to Bhutan’s socio-economic development and to further development of Bhutan’s hydro power resources.
His Majesty granted an audience to the Vice President of India, M. Hamid Ansari, the UPA Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, the Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram, the Home Minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde, the Minister of External Affairs, Salman Khurshid, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Anand Sharma, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley, the National Security Adviser, Shivshankar Menon, and the Foreign Secretary, Sujatha Singh.
Their Majesties expressed deep appreciation to the Government and the people of India for the warm reception and gracious hospitality extended. The visit reinforced the tradition of regular high-level exchanges and further strengthened the special friendship between the two countries.
Their Majesties were accompanied by the Minister of Home Affairs, Damchoe Dorji, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rinzin Dorje, Minister of Economic Affairs, Norbu Wangchuk and other senior officials of the Royal Government of Bhutan.
