First foreign visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins 2-day Bhutan visit
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who begins his two-day visit to Bhutan today, said the neighbouring nation was a "natural choice" as his first foreign destination because of the "unique and special relationship" India shares with it and his trip would focus on making development cooperation "even more effective".
In his pre-departure statement, PM Modi said relations with Bhutan will be a key foreign policy priority of his government.
"I am looking forward to my first-ever visit to Bhutan and to nurturing and further strengthening India's special relations with Bhutan", said the PM.
He is undertaking the trip at the invitation of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.
"I travel to Bhutan with immense happiness and a strong desire to further strengthen our already strong bond," he said.
He explained why he chose Bhutan as the country of his first foreign visit, three weeks after assuming charge.
"Bound by common interests and shared prosperity, India and Bhutan enjoy a unique and special relationship which has been forged by ties of geography, history and culture. Therefore, Bhutan as the destination for my first visit abroad as Prime Minister is a natural choice," the PM said.
He said that during his visit, he would have the opportunity to hold detailed discussions with the King and the Prime Minister of Bhutan on the entire gamut of bilateral relations.
"I will review with the Bhutanese leadership our development cooperation programme to make it even more effective and responsive to the changing aspirations of the people of Bhutan," PM Modi said.
"Bhutan and India share a very special relationship that has stood the test of time," the PM said.
He said Bhutan's peaceful and smooth transition to a democratic constitutional monarchy has been a success story.
"Its orderly conduct of elections is testimony to the consolidation of its democracy, in accordance with the wise vision of their Majesties."
During the visit, PM Modi will address the joint session of the parliament of Bhutan. He will also inaugurate one of India's assistance projects -- the building of the Supreme Court of Bhutan.
"The government of India has been a privileged and leading partner of Bhutan in its socio-economic development. We rejoice in Bhutan's remarkable economic growth and its progress and prosperity. We are committed to continuing our unstinted support to Bhutan in its development efforts," he said in the statement.
He said hydropower cooperation with Bhutan "is a classic example of win-win cooperation and a model for the entire region".
During the visit, he will lay the foundation stone of the 600 MW Kholongchu hydropower project.
"People-to-people contact is an important aspect of our bilateral relations. I intend to discuss with the Bhutanese leadership how to further strengthen these contacts between our countries, particularly among the youth. In this regard, the role of educational links will be very important," he said.
I travel to Bhutan with immense happiness & a strong desire to further strengthen our already strong bond http://t.co/IMnabeKw0X
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2014I would have the honour of addressing the Joint Session of the Parliament of Bhutan & inaugurate the building of Bhutan's Supreme Court.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2014Bhutan & India share a very special relationship that has stood the test of time. Thus, Bhutan was a natural choice for my 1st visit abroad.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2014Looking forward to visiting Bhutan. I will hold detailed discussions with His Majesty the King & His Majesty the Fourth King & PM of Bhutan.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2014