The Prime Minister Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley met with his Indian counterpart Dr. Manmohan Singh yesterday.

Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley was accorded a ceremonial reception in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan where he was also presented a guard of honour.

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinely said it is a pleasure for the Bhutanese delegation to be in the capital of India which is the closest friend, most dependable and trusted ally and a country that has been most generous in supporting Bhutan’s development efforts since 1961.

He thanked the people and government of India on behalf of His Majesty the King and the people and the government of Bhutan for the generosity with which they have supported Bhutan’s development efforts. He said during discussions with the Prime Minister of India, they will be talking about how they can further deepen and strengthen the relations to the mutual benefit of both countries.

Following this, the Prime Minister Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley visited the Rajghat the memorial of Mahatma Ghandhi where he laid a floral wreath and paid his respects. The Secretary of the Rajghat Samadhi committee presented a set of books and a statue of Mahatma Gandhi.

Later, the Prime Minister Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley also met with the Minister of External Affairs, Pranab Mukherjee, the Opposition leader LK Advani, and the Minister of Home Affairs Shivaraj Patil.

Later in the afternoon, Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley met with the Indian Vice President Hamid Ansari, the Chairperson of United Progressive Alliance Sonia Gandhi.

He will also meet with the Indian President Pratibha Patil this evening.

A meeting is also scheduled between the two Prime Ministers at the Hyderabad House. Later in the evening, the Indian Prime Minister is hosted a banquet in honour of the Bhutanese delegation.

The Prime Minister is in India on a four day state visit. The delegation will arrive back in the country today.  Source: BBS