New Delhi: On the eve of his visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said Bhutan was a "natural choice" as his first foreign destination because of the "unique and special relationship" and his trip would focus on making development cooperation "even more effective".
In his pre-departure statement, Modi said relations with Bhutan will be a key foreign policy priority of his government.
"I am looking forward to my first-ever visit to Bhutan and to nurturing and further strengthening India's special relations with Bhutan", said Modi who is undertaking a two-day trip from Sunday at the invitation of King Jigme Khesar
Namgyel Wangchuk and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.
"I travel to Bhutan with immense happiness and a strong desire to further strengthen our already strong bond", he said.
He explained why he chose Bhutan as the country of his first foreign visit, three weeks after assuming charge.
"Bound by common interests and shared prosperity, India and Bhutan enjoy a unique and special relationship which has been forged by ties of geography, history and culture.
Therefore, Bhutan as the destination for my first visit abroad as Prime Minister is a natural choice", the Prime Minister said.
He said that during his visit, he will have the opportunity to hold detailed discussions with the King and the Prime Minister of Bhutan on the entire gamut of bilateral relations.
"I will review with the Bhutanese leadership our development cooperation programme to make it even more effective and responsive to the changing aspirations of the people of Bhutan", Modi said.
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