PM returns home after two-day visit to Bhutan

Bagdogra, May 17 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh returned home today after a two-day visit to Bhutan.

After a brief halt here during which he is scheduled to address a press conference, Dr Singh will leave for New Delhi.

Earlier today, the Prime Minister addressed the newly-elected Parliament of Bhutan. He also dedicated the 1020 MW Tala hydel station, built with Indian assistance and commissioned in 2006-07, to the people of Bhutan, besides laying the foundation stone of the 1095 Punatsangchhu-I project.

Before leaving Thimphu, Dr Singh attended a lunch hosted in his honour by previous King Jigme Singye Wangchuk, who had abdicated in favour of his son sometime back. It was attended by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, his two Queens, Bhutanese Prime Minister Lyonchen Jigme Y Thinley and Bhutanese Cabinet ministers.

Dr Singh's wife, Mrs Gursharan Kaur, his daughter, National Security Adviser M K Narayanan, Mr T K A Nair, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary Shiv Shanker Menon also attended the lunch.

UNI SA RP HS1624