Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, India and Bhutan continue to share a great friendship of mutual trust and cooperation.
She said this at an event to celebrate the 38th birthday of the King of Bhutan at the Bhutanese Embassy in New Delhi.
Bhutan’s Foreign Minister Damcho Dorji also joined the celebration along with members of the Bhutanese community.
The celebration also marked the golden jubilee of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Both the Foreign Ministers lit the butter lamps even as national anthems of Bhutan and India played at the background.
Swaraj in her speech also recalled the gratitude and wisdom of the Bhutanese kings and successive leaders of India in laying a strong foundation for this unique friendship.
“Bhutan is very special to us and under the dynamic leadership of Their Majesties, it has continued to progress and develop in the region at a remarkable pace in last five decades. Our relationship is unique in the sense we continue to enjoy peace and prosperity through this enduring friendship,” the External Affairs Minister said.
“2018 is a milestone for India as we celebrate 50 years of relation with Bhutan which we are proud of, our common ties and cooperation that are mutually benefitting,” she further said.
Bhutan’s Foreign Minister Damcho Dorji in his speech said the presence of Sushma Swaraj on the occasion is a ‘reflection of genuine friendship’ the two neighbouring countries have.
“Bhutan has seen an unprecedented development in last five decades due to India’s assistance. By supporting our hydropower projects, the socio-economic development has improved. We attach high importance to India-Bhutan relations,” he said.
The External Affairs Minister also awarded prizes for the essay competition winners on the topic on ‘India-Bhutan relations and the views on how this relation can be further strengthened’, to Bhutanese students studying in India on the occasion.
Both the ministers also launched the 50th anniversary commemorative Bhutanese stamps, and the special quarterly magazine issue of ‘Bhutan Panorama’.