India-Bhutan-PM
India today said it was ready to join hands with the first elected government in Bhutan, which had witnessed a peaceful transition to "democratic monarchy", to work for
strengthening bilateral ties and accelerated development of the Himalayan country.

"I have come with a message...That India stands ready to join hands with the people and the government of Bhutan to strengthen our relationship to do our bid for accelerated development of Bhutan," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told reporters at Thimpu, Bhutan's national capital after he arrived on a two-day visit to the country, PTI reported here.

Singh, who became the first international leader to visit Bhutan after it entered the club of democratic nations in March, received a warm reception at Paro International Airport from Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigme Thinley who presented him a 'khadar', a silk scarf.

Schoolchildren lined the roads waving flags of the two countries as the Prime Minister's cavalcade travelled to capital Thimpu.

The Prime Minister noted that India and Bhutan shared a "unique" relationship as the countries have "centuries old ties of culture, religion and geography".

He said the visit assumes special significance as it was after 15 years an Indian prime minister had come to Bhutan. He also pointed out that it was a "very auspicious year" for Bhutan as it was centenary year of the Wangchuck dynasty in which the coronation of Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck will also be held and which saw "the ushering in of a democratically elected government".

"We look forward to a 21st century (when) the two countries walking together hand-in-hand furthering the cause of cooperation and friendship," Singh said.

"This is a very exciting event. Bhutan has just witnesses elections and peaceful transition to democratic monarchy.

Welcoming Singh, Thinley described ties with India as "exemplary" and sought deeper economic integration with New Delhi by extending cooperation beyond the traditional areas.

The Bhutanese premier said the Indian leader's visit "is particularly significant and greatly appreciated by the Bhutanese people".

"We are very excited. This is a very important visit. Bhutan's relations with India are of the nature that is exemplary in the world today," Thinley, who is Bhutan's first prime minister in a democratic set up, said.

He said Bhutan wanted to promote "mutually beneficial
relationship" with India.

"We certainly are looking forward to deeper integration of our economy exploring new dimensions and new areas for collaboration beyond the traditional areas," Thinley said.

Energy cooperation is expected to dominate the talks Singh will have with Bhutanese leadership.

The Prime Minister will address a joint session of the Bhutanese parliament on 17th May.

Singh is the fifth Indian prime minister to visit Bhutan and the first in 15 years since Narasimha Rao came here in 1993.

Bhutan is also celebrating 50 years of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's month-long tour of the country which he undertook on yakback.