His Majesty the King said that the close ties of friendship and India’s unstinted support have been central to Bhutan’s socio-economic achievements and prosperity. Most recently India had provided important financial and technical assistance in Bhutan’s preparations for democratic elections.

His Majesty granted an audience to the prime minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh, who is on a two-day visit to Bhutan, and his high-level Indian delegation at Tashichhodzong yesterday.

“As Bhutan faces the challenge of building a new democracy founded on a strong economy, it is only natural that we should strive to do so with the cooperation and support of India, the world’s largest democracy and economic giant,” said His Majesty.

During the audience Dr Manmohan Singh felicitated His Majesty the King, people, and the government of Bhutan on the successful start of the democratic process and expressed India’s support for Bhutan’s democratic and economic endeavours. He also assured Bhutan of India’s support for the 10th Plan, which has been in discussion between the two governments since 2007.

His Majesty the King and Dr Manmohan Singh emphasized their commitment to Bhutan-India friendship and cooperation in the new era.

The Indian prime minister arrived in Paro on a special flight yesterday. “Bhutan is our closest friend and neighbour,” he said. “India stands ready to join hands to strengthen our relationship, to do our best for the accelerated development of Bhutan. As a democracy, we cherish this moment and we will use our visit to strengthen in every possible way the close bonds of friendship that unites our two countries and our people.”

Dr Manmohan Singh said that a visit to Bhutan was a special occasion for any Indian prime minister. “In a world that is plagued by violence Bhutan is a bastion of peace and tranquility,” he said, addressing dignitaries of the two countries at an official banquet yesterday.

Commending Bhutan’s smooth transition to a democratic constitutional monarch under the benevolent rule of Their Majesties and congratulating the Bhutanese prime minister for his success in the elections, Dr Manmohan Singh welcomed Bhutan into the fraternity of democratic nations.

Bhutan-India relations, according to the prime minister, was based on shared historical and cultural linkages. “It is a dynamic and progressive relationship, seeking new avenues of cooperation, new complementarities and new opportunities,” he said. “Our ties have today diversified over the entire gamut of political and economic cooperation.”

Bhutan’s prime minister, Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, welcomed Dr Manmohan Singh to Bhutan as a “dear friend, as the leader of the largest democracy, and as a great statesman”. He said that the visit marked the beginning of a new and exciting phase in the “time-tested precious friendship between a great and mature democracy and a new and expectant democracy.”

“As to how perilous the democratic path is will depend on how we choose to tread,” he said. “We want you to know, Your Excellency, that as we walk this unfamiliar path we do so with the confidence that we have India by our side to inspire and support us so that we may never falter and see cause for regret.”

The prime minister added that within months Bhutan would implement the 10th Plan, the country’s first Plan under His Majesty and to be implemented by the first democratically elected government. He said that the Plan would be understandably different in size and scope and approach.

“As the first democratically elected government my government is particularly mindful of the special privilege and responsibility of charting the course of democratic Bhutan’s relations with India as we remain deeply faithful to our King’s vision of a common destiny moulded by shared aspirations and values,” he said.

Lyonchhen Jigmi Thinley said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had been most supportive. Dr Manmohan Singh’s visit, he said, would leave behind a very heartened and appreciative people and government.

The Bhutanese prime minister announced that he was looking forward to visiting India as the first country in his capacity as the prime minister of Bhutan.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is scheduled to address the joint sitting of the Bhutanese parliament this morning. He will then dedicate the Tala Hydroelectric Project to the people of Bhutan and India and lay the foundation stone for the Punatsangchu-1 project. The Indian delegation will attend a lunch hosted by His Majesty the King.

The prime minister of India was accompanied to Bhutan by the national security advisor, Mr M K Narayanan, his principal secretary, Mr T K Nair, the Indian foreign secretary, Mr Shivshankar Menon and senior government officials.