On his maiden foreign tour, Bhutan's first Prime Minister Lyonchen Jigmi Y Thinley arrived in New Delhi on Monday for a visit, during which the two sides will look at ways to boost their friendly relations further.
Thinley was received by Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
The first Prime Minister of the five-month-old democratic Bhutan is accompanied by his wife and a high-level delegation that includes Economic Affairs Minister Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, Foreign Minister Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering and Finance Minister Lyonpo Wangdi Norbu, besides senior officials.
Thinley will hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday on a wide range of issues, with particular focus on enhancing ties in economic and business fields.
He will also meet President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari, United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition L K Advani.
"India and Bhutan share a very special relationship which has roots in our history and culture and has found new dynamism in mutually beneficial cooperation," the External
Affairs Ministry said.
"This relationship is characterised by close consultations, mutual trust and understanding" and sustained by the tradition of regular visits and exchange of views at the highest levels between the two countries, it said.
