M A I N   N E W S

Prez: Ties with Bhutan gaining new heights

The 4th King of Bhutan, H.M. Jigme Singye Wangchuck, seeing off President Pratibha Patil, inside the aircraft at Paro airport in Bhutan on Saturday. — Reuters photo

New Delhi, November 8
Taking bilateral relations to new heights, President Pratibha Patil today concluded her four-day visit to Bhutan, during which she attended the coronation of the world’s youngest monarch Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

The highlight of the visit was the warm welcome accorded to her by the fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who showed unusal gesture by receiving her at the Paro airport, 60 km away from capital Thimpu, in a marked departure from protocol.

Equally significant was the warm send off, again at the Paro airport, where the fourth king climbed the aircraft ladder and escorted her inside the aircraft up to her seat.

The king talked to the President for a few minutes before getting off the Air India One aircraft.

President Patil, who returned here in the afternoon, appreciated his concept of ‘Gross National Happiness’ for the Himalayan state and greeted him for his birthday on November 11.

Reflecting the great importance India attached to the visiting head of the state, Prime Minister Jigme Y Thinley was also present along with the fourth king to receive her on November 5. Thinley saw her off this morning at her hotel in Thimpu.

Giving a fresh momentum to close bilateral ties, Patil said the Indo-Bhutan relations had reached a “new high” this year and hoped the ties between the world’s largest and newest democracies would become “deeper and more fruitful” in future. — PTI