New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today arrived here on a two-day visit to Bhutan, his first foreign destination since he took over, to cement India's “unique and special relationship” with the neighbouring country.
He was received by Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay at the Paro airport and was given a ceremonial guard of honour.
He is accompanied by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh.
On Monday, he will address a joint session of the Bhutanese parliament.
Yesterday Narendra Modi had described Bhutan as a "natural choice" for his maiden visit abroad, and said relations with Thimphu would be a key foreign policy priority of his government.
He said that his two-day visit to the Himalayan kingdom Sunday is "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 the prime minister is a natural choice. Relations with Bhutan will be a key foreign policy priority of my government."
The prime minister said he would review with the Bhutanese leadership on making the "development cooperation programme" between the two countries "even more effective".
"I am looking forward to my first-ever visit to Bhutan and to nurturing and further strengthening India's special relations with Bhutan," he said.
