India on Friday said it was ready to join hands with the first elected government in Bhutan, which had witnessed a peaceful transition to "democratic monarchy", to work for strengthening bilateral ties and accelerated development of the Himalayan country.
"I have come with a message that India stands ready to join hands with the people and the government of Bhutan to strengthen our relationship to do our bid for accelerated development of Bhutan," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told reporters after he arrived on a two-day visit to the country.
Dr Singh, who became the first international leader to visit Bhutan after it entered the club of democratic nations in March, received a warm reception at Paro International Airport from Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigme Thinley who presented him a khadar, a silk scraf.
Dr Singh was accompanied by his wife Gursharan Kaur who was welcomed by Aum Rinsi Bem Thinley, the spouse of the Bhutanese prime minister, at the airport, 54 km from Thimpu.
Schoolchildren lined the roads waving flags of the two countries as the prime minister's cavalcade travelled to Thimpu.
The prime minister noted that India and Bhutan shared a "unique" relationship as the countries have "centuries old ties of culture, religion and geography,"
He said the visit assumes special significance as it was after 15 years an Indian prime minister had come to Bhutan.
Dr Singh also pointed out that it was a "very auspicious year" for Bhutan as it was centenary year of the Wangchuck dynasty in which the coronation of Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck will also be held and which saw "the ushering in of a democratically elected government."
"We look forward to a 21st century where the two countries will walk together hand-in-hand furthering the cause of cooperation and friendship," Dr Singh said.
"This is a very exciting event. Bhutan has just witnessed elections and peaceful transition to a democratic monarchy. We cherish this moment and we'll use the visit to strengthen in every possible way the close bonds of friendship which unite our people," the prime minister told reporters.
Welcoming Dr Singh, Thinley described ties with India as "exemplary" and sought deeper economic integration with New Delhi by extending cooperation beyond the traditional areas.
The Bhutanese premier said the Indian leader's visit "is particularly significant and greatly appreciated by the Bhutanese people. We are very excited. This is a very important visit. Bhutan's relations with India are of the nature that is exemplary in the world today."
Thinley, who is Bhutan's first prime minister in a democratic set up, said Bhutan wanted to promote "mutually beneficial relationship" with India.
