Bhutan's King

Guwahati, Nov 03: Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk has embarked on a significant week-long state visit to India, marking a significant diplomatic event. King Wangchuk, accompanied by his family members and Bhutanese government officials, touched down in Guwahati at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport.

The royal delegation received a warm welcome at the airport, led by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who was joined by ministers Ranoj Pegu and Ranjit Kumar Dass, as well as various government officials and dignitaries.

During his stay in Assam, King Wangchuk, along with his wife, Queen Pema Jetsun, and their two sons, is scheduled to visit the revered Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati. Additionally, a special dinner in honor of the Bhutanese king and his delegation will be hosted by Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria at the Raj Bhawan.

Later, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is expected to pay a courtesy visit to the Bhutanese king, who will be staying at the Radisson Blu Hotel during his time in Assam.

The royal visit holds great significance as King Wangchuk will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and other senior officials from the Central government during his week-long stay in India. The state visit is set to conclude on November 10.

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In addition to Assam, the Bhutanese delegation will also travel to Maharashtra as part of the week-long state visit, highlighting the diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations.

To ensure a smooth and secure visit for the Bhutanese king, the Indian government has put elaborate arrangements in place. Traffic restrictions have been imposed in Guwahati to facilitate the visit.

Before the king’s arrival, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma held discussions with Major General Vetsop Namgyel, the Royal Bhutan Ambassador to Bharat, as a goodwill gesture. Moreover, the Assam government has announced that five medical college seats in the state will be reserved for Bhutanese students, further strengthening the friendly relations between the two nations.

This state visit holds particular significance given that it comes shortly after China and Bhutan engaged in the 25th round of boundary talks in Beijing, where they signed an agreement concerning the “responsibilities and functions of the joint technical team on the delimitation and demarcation of the Bhutan-China boundary.” These developments are expected to foster greater cooperation and understanding between India, Bhutan, and China on various regional and international issues.