President Patil reaches Bhutan, given colourful reception

Thimphu (Bhutan), Nov 05 : President Pratibha Patil, who is on a four-day visit to Bhutan to attend the coronation ceremony of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, was accorded guard of honour and given a colourful reception at the Paro Airport on her arrival today.

Present King Jigme Singye Wangchuk and Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigmi Thinley received President Patil at the airport.

The new king, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, will meet President Patil at hotel Taj Tashi in Thimphu.

She would be the guest of honour during the coronation ceremony, which starts from November 6.

The visit of President Patil at this significant moment in Bhutan's history will further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

India and Bhutan strengthened their bilateral ties in 2007 by signing a revised Treaty of Friendship that gave Thimphu more freedom in running its foreign policy and military affairs.

Bhutan saw the last coronation nearly 35 years ago in 1974, when fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuk was crowned at the age of 17.

The coronation comes barely six months after Bhutan's historic first democratic election in March this year and underlines the royal family's commitment to push Bhutan on the path of democracy while continuing with hereditary monarchy that inspires a lot of affection and respect among the Bhutanese people. By Ravi Shankar

ANI