Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering on Sunday said that the two-day visit of his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi was a successful one in terms of strengthening “heart-to-heart” connection of the two countries.
While addressing a press conference in Paro after Modi’s departure, he said, “We are very happy to report that Prime Minister Modi’s visit which was for only two days was a successful visit in terms of what we wanted to get and what we could give, mainly in terms of heart-to-heart connection.”
PM of Bhutan (Dr.) Lotay Tshering in Paro, Bhutan: We are happy to report that Narendra Modi visited us for 2 days. It was a successful visit. Successful as we all are very happy,we could give what he wanted,we could get what we wanted,mainly in terms of heart to heart connection pic.twitter.com/NOGtmtHu0v
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) August 18, 2019
“The theme of the visit is human touch, though the visit was an official visit from our side and from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s side, it was a very-very spiritual and friendly visit,” he added.
A friend departs, for now.
After the 2-day state visit, His Excellency Shri @narendramodi departed for India.
Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering and senior government officials saw him off at the Paro International Airport. pic.twitter.com/RzZOFDqqtV
— PM Bhutan (@PMBhutan) August 18, 2019
While PM Modi thanked Bhutan, saying, “I would like to thank the people and Government of Bhutan for the warm welcome and hospitality during this visit.”
He also said, “Thank you Bhutan! It was a memorable visit. The affection I have received from the people of this wonderful nation can never be forgotten. There were many programmes which I had the honour of taking part in. The outcomes of the visit will enhance bilateral ties.”
Thank you Bhutan!
It was a memorable visit. The affection I have received from the people of this wonderful nation can never be forgotten.
There were many programmes which I had the honour of taking part in.
The outcomes of the visit will enhance bilateral ties. pic.twitter.com/325NGWZifb
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 18, 2019
Meanwhile, PM Modi returned to India on Sunday evening.
#Delhi: Prime Minister @narendramodi returns from his two-day state visit to #Bhutan. External Affairs Minister, @DrSJaishankar receives him at the airport. pic.twitter.com/l7kwZ94uMU
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) August 18, 2019
Bhutan PM also thanked local deities for the successful conclusion of the visit, saying that they held up the rain and contributed in making Modi’s visit successful.
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“All officers and agencies involved did their job well but behind the scenes were Bhutanese people especially from Thimphu and Paro who took all the trouble, teachers and students who came out in large numbers to welcome Prime Minister Modi. Local deities also did their job well by holding rains and giving us favourable weather yesterday,” said the Bhutanese Prime Minister.
He further said that no specific MoU was signed on tourism.
On Saturday, nine MoUs and one power purchase agreement were exchanged between New Delhi and Thimpu in the presence of PM Modi and his Bhutanese counterpart at the Semtokha Dzong at Semthoka.
At least seven out of the nine MoUs are in the field of education. Five projects including the RuPay rollout and the Mangdechhu hydroelectric power plant were also inaugurated by Modi and Tshering in Semthoka. The ISRO-built Ground Station for South Asian Satellite was also remote launched during the event yesterday.
Amongst other things, India has made the commitment to give Rs 5,000 crores to Bhutan as development assistance for its 12th 5-year plan, which began earlier this year. The 1st tranch of funds for the plan has already been released by New Delhi.
(With ANI inputs)