Prime Minister Narendra Modi awarded the highest honor from Bhutan, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo
Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first foreign government leader to be awarded the highest honor from Bhutan, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, from the Himalayan nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the accolade from the King of Bhutan. Notably, on 17th December 2021, at the 114th National Day festivities, the King of Bhutan announced the honor.
PM Modi posted a photo of himself leaving for Bhutan on X, the old Twitter, on Friday. He captioned the image, saying, "On the way to Bhutan, where I will be attending various programmes aimed at further cementing the India-Bhutan partnership." I am excited to speak with Prime Minister @tsheringtobgay, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, and the King of Bhutan.
Modi was given a warm reception at the Paro airport and was greeted by locals all the way from Paro to Thimphu. He met Tshering Tobgay, the prime minister of Bhutan, and his father, the fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck.
When PM Modi landed at the Paro Airport, he was greeted by Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan. 'Welcome to Bhutan' was written beside images of the two of them shaking hands in a hoarding that he posted. The Bhutan PM addressed him as his elder brother and captioned in Hindi, "Bhutan me aapka swagat hai, mere bade bhai (Welcome to Bhutan, my elder brother.)"
PM Modi will also officially open the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital in Thimphu, a state-of-the-art hospital constructed in Thimphu with support from the Government of India.
PM Modi also attended a cultural programme at the Tendrelthang Festival Ground in the presence of Bhutan King. Prime Minister Modi will participate in a number of events to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Bhutan and India when he is there.
Additionally, PM Modi was given a warm reception at his hotel in Thimphu as young people from Bhutan performed a traditional Garba on a song that he had composed. Wearing Kurta Paijamas and Ghagra-choli, the traditional garments of Gujarat, the young people enhanced the charm of the folk dance.
Only one week has passed since Bhutan's prime minister visited India. Tobgay expressed gratitude to the Indian government for the development assistance of Rs 5,000 crore for Bhutan's last five-year plan when he was there. Both countries also promised to deepen their bilateral connections, and Prime Minister Modi stated that India is dedicated to helping Bhutan achieve its goal of becoming a high-income country in accordance with the Bhutanese king's vision.
