PM Modi arrives in Bhutan for two-day visit, receives highest civilian award

Indian Prime Minister on Friday (Mar 22) arrived in Bhutan amid heightened political temperature back home. The two-day visit will end on Saturday. The visit was earlier postponed on Thursday due to bad weather conditions in the Himalayan nation.Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay received the Indian leader as he landed at the Paro Airport and addressed him as his elder brother in a post on X.

According to a report by The Hindu, PM Modi will receive Bhutan’s highest civilian award, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo.Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck will present the award to PM Modi to appreciate his efforts towards strengthening India-Bhutan ties and also for providing the first round of 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021.

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According to the Indian government, the visit reaffirms India’s commitment to its 'Neighbourhood First Policy'.

PM Modi’s visit comes after Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay visited India from March 14 to 18.

According to India’s foreign ministry, India and Bhutan share a “unique and enduring” partnership steeped in “mutual trust, understanding and goodwill”.

PM Modi is expected to boost New Delhi’s support for Bhutan’s 13th five-year plan, including considering a request for an economic stimulus programme. The two nations are supposed to further cement their cooperation in sectors like hydropower, infrastructure, health, education, digital connectivity and even space.

However, no major policy decisions are expected from the trip due to limitations imposed by the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), governed by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

(With inputs from agencies)