New Delhi: India’s new Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday heads to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon, on his first overseas visit, in a signal of the geostrategic importance of the friendly Himalayan nation that lies on its northeast border but also shares its boundary with China.
The prime minister, who had met and held talks with Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay when the latter was in New Delhi for the swearing in ceremony last month, would be accompanied by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh.
The June 15-16 Bhutan visit is a pointer to the new government’s keenness to focus on the neighbourhood, as was evident from Modi’s invite to South Asian leaders for his swearing in ceremony on May 26.
Tobgay alongwith cabinet ministers and senior government officials will receive Prime Minister Modi and his delegation at the Paro international airport.
Modi will call on the Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at the Tashichhodzong, which has been the seat of the government since 1952 and presently houses the throne room and offices of the king. In the evening, Modi will inaugurate the new Supreme Court building in Hejo, which was constructed with funding from the Indian government. Modi will also call on Prime Minister Tobgay, who will host a banquet for him at the banquet hall. (IANS)
