Bhutan's future bright with new King, bilateral ties to improve:Pr

Thimphu, Nov 7 (UNI) President Pratibha Devisingh Patil today said that Bhutan's new monarch Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck would guide the Himalayan nation towards a brilliant future and expressed confidence that the ties between India and Bhutan would become even more deeper and fruitful over the coming years.

The President, who has come here on a four-day visit as the Chief Guest at the coronation ceremony of the new monarch, extended warm felicitations to the new king and wished him a long, peaceful and bountiful reign.

Inviting the new king to visit India, she wished happiness and continued progress to the people of Bhutan. Deeply touched with the warm hospitality she had received here, Ms Patil said the coronation ceremonies at the Dzong were marked by solemnity, piety and grace.

The ceremonies at other places were also colourful and full of gaiety, she added.

''The enthusiasm with which the people of Bhutan have participated in the coronation ceremonies reflects their respect and reverence for the monarchy. It is not often that a father has the opportunity to confer his blessings on a son in the manner I witnessed at the coronation. It exalts both,'' she observed.

With democratic elections earlier this year, the fourth Jigme Singhye Wangchuck has reposed faith in his people by ushering democracy in Bhutan reposing his faith and trust in his people to continue the nation on the path of peace, progress and prosperity.

Now a new youthful generation would guide Bhutan to a brilliant future under able leadership of the young king.

Pointing out that the year has been a historic one for Bhutan, which is celebrating the coronation of the new king, 100 years of the Wangchuck dynasty and establishment of a democratically elected government, the President reminded that it was also the golden jubilee of the visit of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to the nation in 1958 that laid the foundation for a strong bilateral relations.

Earlier, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Bhutan and Prime Minister of Bhutan Jigme Y Thinley's visit to India also laid foundation to take the relations between the two countries to a new height.

Ms Patil said she was highly impressed by how the people of Bhutan were deeply rooted in the tradition, culture that quintessentially defined Bhutan.

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