Bhutan will be a key foreign policy priority of my government, says PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that India and Bhutan are bound by common interests and shared prosperity, and therefore, nurturing relations with that country would be a key foreign policy priority of his government.

In a statement released ahead of his departure for Bhutan on a two-day official visit, Modi said he was looking forward to his first-ever visit as head of government to Bhutan, and to nurturing and further strengthening the special relations that existed between the two nations.

"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. Relations with Bhutan will be a key foreign policy priority of my government," the prime minister said.

He said that during his visit, he would have the opportunity to hold detailed discussions with the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, and Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay on the entire gamut of bilateral relations.

He also described Bhutan's peaceful and smooth transition to a democratic constitutional monarchy as a success story. "Its (Bhutan's) orderly conduct of elections is testimony to the consolidation of its democracy, in accordance with the wise vision of Their Majesties," Modi said.

He also said that during his visit, he would be addressing the joint session of the Parliament of Bhutan, which described as an honour.