Thimphu, May 16 : Welcoming Bhutan into the fraternity of democratic nation

Thimphu, May 16 : It was a ceremonial guard of honour worth replicating for its precision and panache. Visiting Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh was given a grand welcome at the Tashichhodzong, the seat of government in Bhutan Capital Thimphu on Friday afternoon.

It was an event that emphatically emphasized the close and strong ties between India and Bhutan. All stops were pulled out by the Bhutanese administration. Sequentially, it included a presentation of a guard of honour by a smartly turned out and uniformed 166 personnel of the Royal Bodyguards in red berets and the Royal Bhutan Army in green berets.

Thimphu, May 16 : Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today arrived in Bhutan on a two-day official visit.

Bhutan Prime Minister Lyonpo Jigme Thinley received Dr. Singh at the Paro Airport. He will be staying at the Taj Tashi Hotel.

In the afternoon, Dr. Manmohan Singh will inspect the guard of honour at the King’s palace Tashi Chhodzong.

After an hour-long meeting with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, Dr. Manmohan Singh will proceed to the National Assembly for discussions with Prime Minister Lyonpo Jigme Thinley.