Thank you too

Speech of his majesty or modi la ..

PM’s Modi’s Speech Your Majesty, the King of Bhutan Your Majesty, the Fourth King, Esteemed Members of the Royal Family, Your Excellency, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay And My Dear Friends from Bhutan Namaskar, Kuzu zangpo la Your Majesty, as an Indian, today is a Big Day for me. You have honored me with the highest Civilian Award of Bhutan. Every Award is special in itself. However, when one receives an award from another country, it reinforces the belief, that our two countries are headed towards the right direction. It also strengthens our confidence, that our efforts have resulted in the welfare of the people of both countries. It gives us more enthusiasm, more energy to work harder. But this honor is not my personal achievement. This is an honor accorded to India and the 1.4 billion Indians. On this land of Bhutan, I humbly accept this honor on behalf of all Indians. And I express my profound gratitude to you and the people of Bhutan. Your Majesty, 1.4 billion Indians know that the people of Bhutan are members of their own family. The people of Bhutan also know, and believe, that India is their family. Our relations are unbreakable, our friendship is unbreakable. Our mutual cooperation is unbreakable, our trust also, is unbreakable. And therefore, today is a very special day for me. It is a happy coincidence, that just 3 days ago, was the birthday of His Royal Highness. It was just 2 days ago, that we also celebrated the International Happiness Day. The weather did pose a bit of a challenge, but nonetheless, it could not come in the way of India-Bhutan friendship, or in the way of my visit to Bhutan. And this makes this occasion, even more special. Your Majesty, Excellencies, Friends, India-Bhutan relations are not just ancient, but equally modern and current. In 2014, when I became the Prime Minister of India, it was but natural for me to visit Bhutan as my first overseas visit. And I still remember that day, when, 10 years ago, I came to Druk Yul - the Land of the Thunder Dragon. The grand welcome by Bhutan, the enthusiasm, made the start of my journey on the path of duty as Prime Minister, unforgettable. Your Majesty, India and Bhutan enjoy a shared heritage. India is the Land of the Buddha, the place where he meditated. India is that Land, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. Bhutan has assimilated the teachings of Lord Buddha. It has preserved them. Even today, the same spiritual energy can be felt in this Land of The Great Zhabdrung Namgyel. The blessings of Guru Padmasambhava have kept the teachings of Vajrayana Buddhism alive, even today. The art of embracing simplicity into one’s culture, The understanding of harmony between materialism and spirituality, Maintaining balance between happiness, prosperity and traditions, I believe that all these, are teachings of Bhutan to the entire world. Your Majesty, You are taking forward the extremely rich heritage of Bhutan, with a modern vision. Under your leadership, Bhutan has Mandala and Modernity, Under your leadership, Bhutan has Taktsang Technology, And Bhutan has Inner Joy while moving towards Innovation. Bhutan has given to the world, the visionary framework of Gross National Happiness. I am confident that the Mindfulness City of Bhutan also will also be an inspiration for the world. Similarly, we have seen the challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic. India stood shoulder to shoulder with Bhutan at that time. Your Majesty, during those difficult times, we saw your sensitivity and your leadership from close quarters. And that is why, I am confident, that under your leadership, Bhutan will touch new heights in Technology, Infrastructure and Manufacturing. Today, when the world is struggling with challenges of Climate Change, Bhutan’s carbon-neutral progress will show the way to the world. Friends, It is a matter of great pride for us, that India has the opportunity to cooperate in His Majesty the King’s visionary projects like Gelephu. The expectations of the youth of India and Bhutan are similar. Our goals are similar. India has set a goal of becoming a developed country by 2047. And Bhutan, has set a goal of becoming a high-income country by 2034. In order for Bhutan to achieve its goals, and to make BB, that is ‘Brand Bhutan’ and ‘Bhutan Believe’, successful, India will be with you at every step. I would also like to assure you, that in the coming 5 years, we will raise the mutual cooperation between our countries to new heights. We will work on new possibilities in the areas of connectivity, infrastructure, trade and energy between India and Bhutan. We will expeditiously complete New airports for better Air-Connectivity New railway links from Gelephu to Korajhar, from Samchi to Banarhat, Commission waterways via the Brahmaputra, Integrated Check Posts will also be constructed for further strengthening trade infrastructure. As always, we will extend our full cooperation and support for the 13th 5-Year Plan of the Government of Bhutan. In the presence of my brothers and sisters of Bhutan today, I will like to announce that in the next 5 years, the Government of India will extend a support of 10 thousand crore rupees towards this Plan. ​ Friends, The basis of our deep ties, is not just B2B, but also P2P. Where B2B means - Bharat to Bhutan, and P2P, means People To People. Our connect! Lord Buddha and Guru Rinpoche are the link in our B2B relations. The Himalayas, and the sacred rivers link our B2B relations. Similarly, thousands of years of closeness and affinity mark our P2P relations. Today, thousands of people, who are benefitting from the Water Supply Project, Those people who are benefitting from the Agriculture and Livestock Development Program, Those people whose life has changed due to the Damchu-Chukha Road, Those children, whose bright future has been facilitated through the Education Program, Those people who attained a healthy life at the Thimphu Mother and Child Hospital, All these friends, provide new foundation to P2P relations between India and Bhutan. The youth who are studying in Schools, Those who are training at sports academies, The Bhutanese students, who are studying in India on scholarships, The youth, who are now training at the Gyalsung Academy, They all too, are not only a basis of the P2P partnership between India and Bhutan, but are also a guarantee for a bright future of our relations. Friends, India and Bhutan are working on several Futuristic Projects. Together, we are developing Hydro Power Projects. The electricity generated from projects in Bhutan, is being exported to India. This is contributing positively to Bhutan’s Forex. Our partnership is not limited to just Land and Water. We are now partners in Space as well. Bhutan’s scientists have launched the India-Bhutan Satellite along with ISRO. We have had significantly strong cooperation in the area of education and capacity building. Teachers from India have taught to several generations in Bhutan. Now, STEM teachers from India, are teaching in Bhutan. In the last decade, digital libraries have been opened in all schools and colleges of Bhutan. With the use of space-technology, education is now also reaching far-flung areas. And, along with cooperation, we also celebrate each other’s successes. When India’s Mission Chandrayan- the Moon Mission, was successful, Bhutan celebrated it with as much happiness, as the people of India. His Majesty wrote a letter to me, congratulating for that historic day, and this boosted the morale of our scientists. And when the film “Lunana” made by the young Pawo Choyning Dorji of Bhutan, got nominated for the Oscars, the people of India felt the same happiness that one feels, when one’s own goes for the Oscars. It is this very closeness, that makes our relations unique. Friends, Today, India is the fastest growing and fifth largest economy in the world. We have taken resolve to make India a developed country during the 25 years of Amritkaal. Very soon we will be the world’s 3rd largest economy. Bhutan will be our strong partner in this journey. On this occasion, on behalf of all Indians, I express my special gratitude to his Majesty, the Fourth King. I am confident, that in the coming years, with your cooperation and under your guidance, we will touch new heights. And it is with this spirit, that I once again thank you for the love and honor bestowed upon me. Kadrin Cheyla, Tashi Delek.

Love India from bhutan 🇧🇹