The visit of the high powered delegation consisting President Pratibha Patil and United Progressive Alliance Chairperson Sonia Gandhi to the tiny Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan from November 6 to attend the coronation ceremony of Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wanchuk, who was sworn in as the fifth king of Bhutan on Thursday, is suggestive of the importance that India attaches to this strategically sensitive country.
Considering China's increasing influence in Nepal, perhaps India can hardly ill afford to ignore its relationship with Bhutan with which it enjoys a time tested and trusted relationship, not withstanding the recent transformation of the nature of the relationship.
Sonia Gandhi's participation along with her family members has also added significance to the high profile visit. The fact that India occupies a unique position in Bhutan's external relations can be gauged from the fact that India is the only country which has been extended this privileged invitation to witness the gala pageantry.
The significance that Bhutan attaches to India can also be discerned from the fact that soon after the appoinment of Lyonchen Lyonchen Jigme Y Thinley as the prime minister of the first elected government in Bhutan, he visited India with a high powered delegation in July.
Image: President Pratibha Patil with Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi at Tashichho Dzong Palace in Thimpu, Bhutan.
Text: R N Das | Photograph: Rashtrapati Bhavan
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