Strong and prosperous India beneficial for SAARC countries: Narendra Modi in Bhutan

Thimphu: Indian Prime Minister who is on a 2-day official visit to Bhutan addressed the joint session of the Bhutan Parliament on Monday.

Reaching out to the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, Modi told its leadership on Sunday that India will nurture its bilateral ties with it while describing relations as “B4B - Bharat for Bhutan.”

In using this modified B4B coinage — B2B is an abbreviation for business to business — the PM, who reached Thimphu on a two-day visit on Sunday, was highlighting the importance New Delhi attaches to its ties with Bhutan.

Read: Bhutan is a natural choice for my first foreign visit: says PM Narendra Modi

The efforts to reach out to Bhutan are, of course, also driven by its strategic importance for India and the fact that China, with whom Bhutan has no diplomatic relations, has been trying to reach out to Thimphu.

Accorded a warm, red-carpet welcome on his first visit abroad as PM, Mr Modi called on Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wang-chuck and met Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay. Speaking at a banquet hosted by Mr Tobgay, Mr Modi said India and Bhutan are “made for each other” considering the “glorious” traditional linkages between the two countries.

“I said a while back B for B (Bharat for Bhutan and Bhutan for Bharat), I said it just like that but later I realised that it must be a sign from God that I said this,” he said. “The colour of our passports may be different but our thinking is the same. India stands committed to Bhutan’s happiness and progress,” asserted the Prime Minister.

Here are the highlights of his address in the Bhutan Parliament:

• It is an honour to address the joint session of Bhutanese Parliament
• Congratulate Bhutan's political family for securing development, protection of traditions and environment
• We just had elections in the world's biggest democracy. Combine the populations of USA and Europe, our electorate was larger
• Prime quality for maintaining democracy is self-reliance
• Enthusiasm visible in voters of Bhutan is very important for a vibrant democratic environment
• Bhutan has established democracy among its people through awareness and strong democratic traditions
• A strong and stable India is needed to make sure that we can help our neighbours with their problems
• Strength of a democracy is very important for that region and its people
• The relationship between India and Bhutan is historic; the new government is committed to make this even stronger
• The stronger India will be, the better it is for Bhutan and other SAARC nations
• Our hearts are always open for friendly relations with neighbours. A change in governance will not change that
• Bhutan's smooth transition from political monarchy to a successful democracy is admirable
• I am very happy that Bhutan spends a good amount of its budget on education
• We have decided to form an E-library network for Bhutan
• When a country provides teachers to educate its society, it strengthens democracy
• India and Bhutan sharing culture and traditions will be beneficial for the youth
• India's satellite technology can be used for Bhutan's development. Our space technology can bring both countries closer
• The Himalayas are India and Bhutan's common heritage
• Can't all the Himalayan states of India and Bhutan do a shared sports tournament together?
• Terrorism divides, tourism unites
• Yesterday the warm welcome I received from the airport till Thimphu was humbling, I am grateful