Bhutan has a special place in the hearts of 130 crore Indians, Modi said in a joint press statement with his Bhutanese counterpart.
Lauding Bhutan's outlook on environment and development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the country has a special place in the hearts of 130 crore Indians as he promised to be key partner in the country's economic growth.
The Prime Minister is on a 2-day visit to the south Asian country.
Delivering a joint press statement with his Bhutanese counterpart Lotay Tshering, Modi said, "I came to Bhutan as my first foreign visit in the first term.. I am very happy that I have come to Bhutan soon after the beginning of my second term."
In a rare honour, press statements were delivered at the Simtokha Dzong in front of the statue of Zhabdrung Rinpoche or Ngawang Namgyal who united Bhutan as a country. Simtokha Dzong is the oldest monastery castle of Bhutan built by Ngawang Namgyal.
"Bhutan has a special place in the hearts of 130 crore Indians...and India will be a key partner in the country's economic growth according to the priorities of Bhutan," Modi said in his statement.
Commending PM Modi's "strong and dynamic leadership" who can take "bold decisions", Tshering said, "India's stature and influence has grown in the international arena and it has emerged as a global leader."
Indian and Bhutanese leaders inaugurated 720-MW Mangdechhu hydropower, a ground station build by ISRO at the cost of Rs 7 crore in Thimphu which will help Bhutan use the transponder in the south Asian satellite and also launched RuPay card in Bhutan. Nine MoUs were also exchanged by both sides.
India has also announced that it will increase LPG supply to Bhutan from 700 to 1000 MT per month and additional US $100 million will be made available to Bhutan under a standby swap arrangement to meet the foreign exchange requirement.
Earlier on his arrival at the Paro Airport on Saturday, Modi was received by Bhutanese PM. On the second day of the visit, he will address the students of the Royal University of Bhutan.
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