Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk embarked on a jungle safari at Kaziranga National Park in Assam on Sunday.
Bhutan's King Jigme Singye Wangchuk has abdicated the throne after 34 years, and handed over power to his son Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
India exhaled a huge sigh of relief in the weekend as Bhutan's opposition People Democratic Party defeated the incumbent Druk Pheunshum Tshogpa in polls, setting the stage for a renewal of ties that had come frayed in the recent controversy over removal of subsidies for liquefied petroleum gas and kerosene.
The treaty not only reflects the contemporary nature of the relationship but also lays the foundation for its future development in the 21st century.
The coronation of Bhutan's fifth king, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk, on November 7-8 promises to be a grand spectacle.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday met Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and the two discussed an entire gamut of ties to cement the "unique and special" bilateral relationship.
Here's a list of the most famous royals families from around the world.
In line with India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy, the largest share of aid portfolio has been granted to Bhutan with the allocation of Rs 2,068 crore.
Although the special relationship might compel Bhutan to be considerate of Indian interests, new challenges will likely arise. An emerging new phase of relations will also call for fresh redlines between India and Bhutan, observe Harsh V Pant and Aditya Gowdara Shivamurthy.
"You can change friends but not neighbours," Atal Bihari Vajpayee famously said this 15 years ago.
Foreign policy is always a work in progress and ups and downs are built into foreign policy process. What is permanent is national interest. Hopefully, this year, which will also witness general elections in the country, will also clear clouds in the foreign policy horizon, observes Rup Narayan Das.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday embarked on a visit to Bhutan, his first foreign destination since he took over, with a focus on making development cooperation with the neighbouring country 'more effective'.
The visitor returns not just with the jewel-like beauty of the country imprinted on the mind, the body rejuvenated by hot stone massages, but also with the captivating stories and myths that are built into every important structure -- whether a tourist magnet or an off-the-beaten track spot.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday left for home from Bhutan, concluding his first foreign trip after assuming office last month. He was given a warm send off by Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and several of his cabinet colleagues at the Paro airport.
This quiet assertion of China has allowed various smaller countries of South Asia to play China off against India. Most states in the region now use the China card to balance against the predominance of India. Forced to exist between their two giant neighbours, the smaller states have responded with a careful balancing act, says Harsh V Pant.
How much money the Modi government has already spent and is going to spend on all those foreign trips, muses Sunita Iyer
