PM Modi’s Bhutan visit postponed due to inclement weather over Paro airport
| 2024-03-21
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bhutan in 2014 and 2019. (File)
New dates are being worked out by the two sides through diplomatic channels, says MEA
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day state visit to Bhutan on March 21-22, 2024 has been postponed in view of unfavourable weather conditions over Paro airport, where he was scheduled to land.
“Due to ongoing inclement weather conditions over Paro airport, it has been mutually decided to postpone the State visit of Prime Minister to Bhutan on 21-22 March 2024. New dates are being worked out by the two sides through diplomatic channels,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday (March 20, 2024) evening.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit was scheduled at the invitation of Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, who was in India from March 14-18, 2024, and was expected to build on the discussions the two leaders had in New Delhi.
While in Thimphu, Prime Minister Modi was to receive audience with His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan and His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday (March 19, 2024). He was also scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Tobgay.
The visit was planned in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan and the Government’s emphasis on its Neighbourhood First Policy.
The basic framework of the enduring India-Bhutan relations is the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949, and revised in 2007. India established diplomatic ties with Bhutan in 1968 by setting up a special office in Thimphu.
The India-Bhutan relationship has been nurtured through regular high-level visits.
In June 2014, Prime Minister Modi was in Bhutan on a state visit, his first to a foreign country after assuming office. He visited Bhutan again in August 2019 and launched four major bilateral projects.
The King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck's recent visits to India have also played a key role in reinforcing bilateral ties.
“Due to ongoing inclement weather conditions over Paro airport, it has been mutually decided to postpone the State visit of Prime Minister to Bhutan on 21-22 March 2024. New dates are being worked out by the two sides through diplomatic channels,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday (March 20, 2024) evening.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit was scheduled at the invitation of Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, who was in India from March 14-18, 2024, and was expected to build on the discussions the two leaders had in New Delhi.
While in Thimphu, Prime Minister Modi was to receive audience with His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan and His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday (March 19, 2024). He was also scheduled to hold talks with Prime Minister Tobgay.
The visit was planned in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan and the Government’s emphasis on its Neighbourhood First Policy.
The basic framework of the enduring India-Bhutan relations is the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949, and revised in 2007. India established diplomatic ties with Bhutan in 1968 by setting up a special office in Thimphu.
The India-Bhutan relationship has been nurtured through regular high-level visits.
In June 2014, Prime Minister Modi was in Bhutan on a state visit, his first to a foreign country after assuming office. He visited Bhutan again in August 2019 and launched four major bilateral projects.
The King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck's recent visits to India have also played a key role in reinforcing bilateral ties.
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