New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a red-carpet welcome on Saturday as he arrived in Bhutan on a two-day visit to the Buddhist kingdom on the edge of Himalaya. Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering received Modi on his arrival at Paro International Airport. During his visit, Modi will hold talks with Bhutanese leaders to further deepen the bilateral ties between the countries. This is his second visit to Bhutan altogether and the first since he assumed office for the second term in May 2019.
Here are the LIVE Updates on PM Modi's two day Bhutan visit:
7.00 pm:
PM @narendramodi and @PMBhutan jointly inaugurate the Mangdechu Hydroelectricity Project in Bhutan. pic.twitter.com/Nhn0BHOeR6
— BJP LIVE (@BJPLive) August 17, 2019
6.30 pm:
PM @narendramodi had an audience with King Jigme Khesar Wangchuck of Bhutan. pic.twitter.com/LwwKGTzzg1
— BJP LIVE (@BJPLive) August 17, 2019
5.31 pm: PM Modi in a joint statement with Bhutan PM (Dr.) Lotay Tshering: Who will not want a friend and a neighbour like Bhutan. It is an honour for us that India is a part of the development of Bhutan.
5.30 pm: Prime Minister of Bhutan (Dr.) Lotay Tshering at Simtokha Dzong, Semtokha: India and Bhutan may vary in size but our beliefs, values and motivation are common. Today, I am overwhelmed with the sense pride that the two countries are living the definition of true friendship.
5.29 pm: PM Modi in a joint statement with Bhutan PM (Dr.) Lotay Tshering: Bhutan has a special place in the hearts of 130 crore Indians. I am very happy that I have come to Bhutan soon after the beginning of my second term.
5.28 pm: Bhutan PM (Dr.) Lotay Tshering: On his (PM Modi) first visit to Bhutan in 2014, I remember him saying that Bhutan & India are close not because we have open borders, but because we have opened our hearts to each other. Your visit this time shows how much you meant it.
5.27 pm: Bhutan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches RuPay Card in Bhutan by making a purchase, at Simtokha Dzong
5.26 pm: Bhutan: 5 Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) signed between India & Bhutan at Simtokha Dzong, in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Bhutan (Dr.) Lotay Tshering.
05.25 pm:
Bhutan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Bhutan (Dr.) Lotay Tshering unveil e-plaque of the interconnection between India's National Knowledge Network and Bhutan's Druk Research and Education Network. pic.twitter.com/1LomDGQttc
— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2019
02:36 pm: Modi received guard of honour at Tashichhoedzong Palace.
02:33 pm: PM Modi arrives at the Tashichhoedzong Palace in Thimpu to meet the King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
Thimpu, Bhutan: PM Narendra Modi arrives at the Tashichhoedzong Palace, to meet the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. pic.twitter.com/twURltSIoI
— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2019
01:37 pm: Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to address young Bhutanese students at the prestigious Royal University of Bhutan.
01:20 pm: The prime minister was welcomed by the Indian diaspora at hotel Taj Tashi in Bhutan's capital city Thimphu.
01:17 pm: WATCH: Waving the Indian and Bhutanese flags, people lined up along the route from Paro to Thimphu to welcome PM Narendra Modi.
#WATCH: Waving the Indian and Bhutanese flags, people lined up along the route from Paro to Thimphu to welcome PM Narendra Modi. #Bhutan pic.twitter.com/3E2Y9P82Fi
— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2019
01:11 pm: Prime Minister Modi greets Indian diaspora at Taj Tashi in Thimphu.
12:15 pm: Modi receives a Guard of Honour in Paro, Bhutan. He was received by Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering on his arrival at Paro International Airport.
#WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives a Guard of Honour in Paro, Bhutan. pic.twitter.com/ze85XCpFre
— ANI (@ANI) August 17, 2019
12:09 pm: Modi arrives at Paro International Airport in Bhutan.
10:25 am: During the visit, Modi would hold talks with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and his Bhutanese counterpart on the entire gamut of bilateral relations.
09:00 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves for a two-day state visit to Bhutan.
In his departure statement issued in New Delhi on Friday, the prime minister said his visit to the Himalayan nation in the beginning of the current term reflects the high importance his government attaches to New Delhi's relations with Bhutan - a "trusted friend and neighbour".
Modi expressed confidence that his visit will promote India's "time-tested and valued friendship" with Bhutan and consolidate it further for the prosperous future and progress of the people of both the countries.
