New Delhi: Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk on Wednesday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and discussed a host of issues aimed at strengthening the "profound bond" between the two countries in the midst of regional and global change.
Singh also hosted a lunch for the Bhutanese King whose
visit comes amidst reports about China stepping up its
engagement with Bhutan.
"The two leaders discussed a whole array of bilateral
issues aimed at ensuring that the profound bond between the
two countries is further strengthened in the midst of regional
and global change," a statement by the Bhutan Embassy said.
According to some reports, the visit was earlier planned
to be a private one with the King going to some specific
places of interest but with greater engagement of China in
Bhutan, India wants to further strengthen relations with the
Himalayan kingdom and officials here have ensured that some
bilateral meetings take place during his stay.
Later, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, External
Affairs Minister S M Krishna and Foreign Secretary Nirupama
Rao met the King separately and discussed various issues of
mutual interest.
During his nine-day visit, the King is also scheduled to
deliver a special address at the Golden Jubilee celebration
of the National Defence College (NDC) here which will be
attended by President Pratibha Patil.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, October 20, 2010, 21:26