Thimphu: Making Bhutan his first foreign destination, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today vowed to nurture bilateral relations which he described as "B2B - Bharat to Bhutan" as he held talks with the Bhutanese King and the Premier, discussing an entire gamut of ties.
Embarking on a two-day trip here to display "special and unique" status for Bhutan in India's foreign policy, Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated the Supreme Court complex built by India as part of the developmental cooperation.
Read: Narendra Modi arrives to a grand welcome, inaugurates Supreme Court of Bhutan
"The primary focus of both the meetings was the extensive development cooperation between the two countries and measures to enhance the economic ties," official sources said.
Modi described the bilateral relations as "B2B relations - Bharat to Bhutan relations," the sources said on his meeting with Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.
Modi announced doubling of scholarships being provided to Bhutanese students in India which will now be worth Rs two crore.
Read: Narendra Modi a friendly and very knowledgeable person: Bhutanese PM
Prime Minister Modi also promised to assist Bhutan in setting up a digital library which will provide access to Bhutanese youth to two million books and periodicals.
The fact that the Prime Minister chose Bhutan as his first foreign destination assumes significance since China has lately intensified efforts to woo it and establish full-fledged diplomatic ties with Thimphu.
Read: Narendra Modi's Bhutan visit first step to reassert regional sway
Modi, accompanied by External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh, was accorded a grand welcome as he arrived at the Paro airport and was received by Tobgay and several of his Cabinet colleagues.
The Bhutanese government rolled out the red carpet as Modi was given a ceremonial guard of honour.
See: Narendra Modi's first foreign visit: Bhutan welcomes Indian PM
The Prime Minister drove down from Paro to Thimphu, a distance of about 50 km, traversing through the picturesque mountainous ranges. Common people, including children, in colourful attire lined up most of the road between Paro and Thimphu, waving Indian and Bhutanese flags.
Big hoardings carrying Modi's photographs also could be seen en route.
Modi's meeting with the Bhutanese King lasted for nearly an hour and then he held talks with Tobgay.
Modi expressed satisfaction at India being considered as a privileged partner of Bhutan and underlined that his government "would not only nurture these strong bonds but would also strengthen them."
Read: Bhutan is a natural choice for my first foreign visit: says PM Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Modi emphasised on the possibilities of greater educational contacts and suggested doubling of scholarships being provided to Bhutanese students in India.
Modi thanked the Bhutanese leadership for the warm welcome that had been arranged for him, saying this reflected the warmth in the bilateral relations. "He applauded the personal efforts made in ensuring the success of his first visit outside India," the sources said.
During his meeting with the Bhutanese King, Prime Minister Modi invited him and his wife Jetsun Pema to visit India. Sources described the meeting between the two as "very good".
After the meeting, both the King and Prime Minister Modi posed for photographers while shaking hands. They were then joined by the King's wife Pema and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for a photograph.
Modi will address the joint session of the Parliament of Bhutan tomorrow.
We are happy not just as a SAARC member but as a close friend that PM Modi is visiting-Tshering Tobgay,Bhutan PM pic.twitter.com/eK7y3sdNB7
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 14, 2014I travel to Bhutan with immense happiness & a strong desire to further strengthen our already strong bond http://t.co/IMnabeKw0X
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2014Looking forward to visiting Bhutan. I will hold detailed discussions with His Majesty the King & His Majesty the Fourth King & PM of Bhutan.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 14, 2014
