PM Modi with Bhutan’s Prime Minister Lotay Tshering. (Twitter/MEAIndia)PM Narendra Modi in Bhutan HIGHLIGHTS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with his Bhutanese counterpart Lotay Tshering on Saturday during which the two leaders discussed steps to further expand the bilateral partnership across several sectors.
Modi arrived in Bhutan Saturday for a two-day visit to explore ways to further strengthen and diversify bilateral partnership with the neighbouring country. On reaching Thimphu, he was welcomed by Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering and received a Guard of Honour.
He also inspected a guard of honour during his ceremonial welcome at Tashichhodzong Palace, Bhutan. This is Modi’s second visit to Bhutan and the first since his re-election in May this year.
PM Modi plants sapling at Bhutan's historic Simtoka Dzong
Prime Minister Narendra Modi planted a Cypress tree sapling at the historic Simtoka Dzong in Thimpu in the presence of his Bhutanese counterpart Lotay Tshering.
Built-in 1629 by Shabdrung Namgyal, a Tibetan Buddhist lama who is regarded as the unifier of Bhutan as a nation-state, Simtoka Dzong is one of the oldest fortress in the Himalayan nation and functions as a monastic and administrative centre.
PM Modi inaugurates Mangdechhu hydroelectric power plant
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Mangdechhu hydroelectric power plant, one of the major projects under Bhutan's initiative to generate 10,000 MW hydropower by 2020 with the Indian government's support.
The Rs 4,500-crore hydroelectric plant, touted as a Bhutan-India friendship project, is a 720MW run-of-river power plant built on the Mangdechhu River in Trongsa Dzongkhag district of central Bhutan. It was developed by the Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project Authority (MHPA), which was jointly constituted by the Indian and the Bhutanese governments. (PTI)
PM Modi meet King Jigme Khesar Wangchuck
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called on Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and exchanged views on taking the "exemplary" India-Bhutan partnership forward.
RuPay Card launched in Bhutan by PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also launched RuPay Card in Bhutan by making a purchase at Simtokha Dzong, built-in 1629 by Shabdrung Namgyal, which functions as a monastic and administrative centre and is one of the oldest dzongs in Bhutan.
"I am very happy that today we have launched RuPay card in Bhutan. This will further enhance our relationship in digital payments, and trade and tourism. Our shared spiritual heritage and strong people-to-people relationship are key of our relations," Prime Minister Modi said.
India-Bhutan signs 10 MoUs
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bhutanese counterpart Lotay Tshering held wide ranging talks on Saturday during which they discussed steps to further expand the bilateral partnership across several sectors as the two nations signed 10 MoUs to infuse new energy in their ties.
The 10 Memorandum of Understandings signed were in the field of space research, aviation, IT, power and education, news agency PTI reported.
'And today, a new chapter unveils'
"If the walls could speak, those of Simotkha Dzong would have stories to tell of Bhutan and its journey so far. And today, a new chapter unveils," Bhutan's Prime Minister Lotay Tshering said in a tweet.
Great scope to further improve ties between our nations: PM Modi in Bhutan
"Delighted to meet my friend, Dr. Lotay Tshering. We had a comprehensive meeting, where we deliberated on the relations between India and Bhutan," PM Modi said in a tweet.
"There is great scope to further improve economic and cultural ties between our nations," he added.
Photos | PM Modi's Bhutan visit
PM Modi at the Semtokha Dzong
PM Narendra Modi and Lotay Tshering with monks at the Semtokha Dzong, which is an important cultural and spiritual centre in Bhutan.
PM Modi plants a Cypress tree at Simtokha Dzong
Following his joint press meet with his Bhutanese counterpart, Prime Minister Narendra Modi planted a Cypress tree sapling at Simtokha Dzong.
India & Bhutan may vary size but our values are common: Lotay Tshering
"India and Bhutan may vary in size but our beliefs, values and motivation are common. Today, I am overwhelmed with the sense pride that the two countries are living the definition of true friendship," Prime Minister of Bhutan Lotay Tshering said during a joint press breif at the Simtokha Dzong in Semtokha.
Who will not want a friend like Bhutan: PM Modi
PM Modi during a joint statement with his Bhutanese counterpart said, "Who will not want a friend and a neighbour like Bhutan. It is an honour for us that India is a part of the development of Bhutan".
Watch: PM Modi's join press meet with his his Bhutanese counterpart
MoUs exchange will take place at Simtoka Dzong, built in 1629
Simtoka Dzong, built in 1629 by Shabdrung Namgyal, functions as a monastic & administrative centre and is one of the oldest dzongs in Bhutan. Today, for the first time ever, historical monument is the venue where projects inauguration ceremony & MoUs exchange will take place.
PM Modi held delegation level talks with Bhutanese leaders
PM Modi meets Bhutan's PM Lotay Tshering
PM Modi receives guard of honour
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a guard of honour at Tashichhoedzong Palace in Thimphu.
'A memorable welcome in Bhutan!'
"A memorable welcome in Bhutan! This is a land blessed with natural beauty and wonderful people. There is immense enthusiasm here and the people of Bhutan want to see the India-Bhutan friendship scale newer heights of success," Prime Minister Modi tweeted.
PM Narendra Modi arrives at the Tashichhoedzong Palace to meet the King of Bhutan
PM Narendra Modi arrives at the Tashichhoedzong Palace, to meet the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, reported ANI.
Watch | PM Modi greeted by Indian diaspora in Thimphu hotel
PM Modi greeted by the Indian diaspora in Thimphu.
PM Modi greets Indian diaspora at Taj Tashi in Thimphu
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets Indian diaspora at Taj Tashi in Thimphu. PM Modi is on a two-day state visit to Bhutan.
Waving India and Bhutanese flags, people welcome Modi in Bhutan
"As a gesture of extraordinary warmth and goodwill, PM welcomed by Bhutan PM Lotay Shering and other ministers," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.
"Waving the Indian tricolour and the Bhutanese flags, people lined up along the route from Paro to the capital city Thimphu to welcome PM," Kumar tweeted. (PTI)
Extremely grateful to Bhutan PM for welcoming me at airport, says PM Modi
PM Modi expressed gratitude towards Bhutan PM Lotay Tshering for coming to the airport to welcome him.
Watch | Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives Guard of Honour in Paro
Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives Guard of Honour in Paro, Bhutan
PM Modi arrives in Thimphu
PM Modi arrived in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, where Bhutan PM Tshering greeted him. Modi also received Guard of Honour in Paro.
PM Tshering, a doctor, chose India for maiden foreign visit last December
Sworn in as the Prime Minister of Bhutan in November, Lotay Tshering chose India for his maiden foreign visit. He had discussed the country's five-year development plan with PM Modi. Tshering, who is a doctor by profession, spends his weekend hours treating and operating on patients referred to him.
Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering congratulated India on Independence Day
Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering had congratulated India on its Independence Day on August 15 in a Facebook post. "I see new chapters of friendship unfold for the two countries. But for today, I wish the people of India a happy Independence day. We pray for a peaceful and prosperous India," Tshering wrote in a Facebook post. He also reviewed Exam Warriors, a book written by PM Narendra Modi, and said, "Woven with personal anecdotes, the content is so simple for a child to comprehend yet so profound and practical."
PM Modi leaves for Bhutan
Prime Minister has already left for Bhutan where he will be on a two-day trip to strengthen bilateral ties with the country. This is Modi's second trip to Bhutan as prime minister and his first in his second term. Modi had visited the country on his first foreign trip during his first tenure as prime minister after winning the Lok Sabha elections 2014.