Narendra Modi receives Bhutan's Order of the Druk Gyalpo Award

Utkarsh Classes Last Updated 23-03-2024

Narendra Modi receives Bhutan's Order of the Druk Gyalpo Award

Award and Honour 9 min read

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Bhutan, was conferred’ Order of the Druk Gyalpo’ by the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on 22 March 2024.

In a ceremony organised at the Tashichho Dzong Palace in the Bhutanese capital, Thimphu

Thus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become the first foreign leader to receive the highest Bhutanese civilian award, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo’.

The Order of the Druk Gyalpo was bestowed upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his contribution to furthering India -Bhutan relationships and for his distinguished service to the Bhutanese nation and people".

The Order of the Druk Gyalpo Award is the highest civilian award instituted by the Government of Bhutan. The award is given for lifetime achievement and takes precedence over all orders, decorations and medals given in Bhutan.

PM Modi's Visit to Bhutan

Initially Prime Minister Modi was to visit Bhutan on 21st March 2024 but due to bad weather conditions over the Paro airport, the visit was rescheduled to 22. Now the visit will be of two days duration 22-23 March..

He was received at the Paro airport by the Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.

The people of Bhutan gave a rousing welcome to Prime Minister Modi by lining the 45 km road route from Paro airport to Thimpu.

The Prime Minister met the Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at the Tashichho Dzong Palace in Thimphu.

Prime Minister Modi, along with the Bhutanese King, attended a cultural programme organised in his honour at the Tendrelthang Festival Ground.

The two leaders discussed various aspects of bilateral relations. They agreed to enhance cooperation in agriculture, environment and forestry, renewable energy, youth exchange, and tourism.

During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will also inaugurate an Indian-funded state-of-the-art Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital in Thimphu.

The visit of the Prime Minister Modi is in continuation of the regular high-level visit exchange between the leaders of two countries and also a part of the government of India’s Neighbourhood First Policy.

India to provide Rs 10,000 crore to Bhutan in next five years

The Prime Minister announced that India will provide Rs 10,000 crore in the next five years to support Bhutan's 13th five-year plan. India is a major financier of Bhutan’s five-year plans. India provided Rs 5,000 crore to Bhutan to finance its 12th five-year Plan.

Bhutan is the largest recipient of India’s external aid. In 2024-25, India will provide Rs 2,068 crore of financial aid to Bhutan.

To enhance rail and air connectivity between the two countries, PM Modi proposed a new airport to improve air connectivity and new rail links between Banarhat (West Bengal) and Samtse (Bhutan) and Kokrajhar (Assam) and Gelephu (Bhutan).

Agreement/MoU signed between India and Bhutan

During the visit of the Prime Minister, seven agreements/MoU(Memorandum of Understanding) were signed between India and Bhutan.

MoU was signed on the list of Petroleum, Oil, Lubricants (POL) and related products that will be supplied from India to Bhutan, as well as the specific exit/entry border points.
An agreement was signed to recognise certificates issued by the Bhutan Food And Drug Authority (BFDA) by the Food Safety and Standards Authority Of India (FSSAI).FSSAI will accept BFDA certificates for Bhutan's food products to be exported to India.
MoU was signed to promote cooperation in energy efficiency and energy conservation measures. India will help Bhutan enhance energy efficiency in the household sector by promoting the star labelling programme developed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency.
MoU on cooperation in Youth and Sports to increase people-to-people contact between the two countries.
To promote Indian generic medicine and affordable healthcare in Bhutan an MoU was signed between Indian and Bhutan for cooperation regarding reference standards, pharmacopoeia, vigilance and testing of medicinal products. Bhutan will accept Indian Pharmacopoeia standards for medicines, which will facilitate the supply of generic medicines at affordable prices to Bhutan.
Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) on Space Cooperation between India and Bhutan.
An MoU was signed to renew the peering agreement between Druk Research and Education Network (DrukREN) of Bhutan and the National Knowledge Network (NKN) of India to further strengthen and enhance digital connectivity between India and Bhutan.

India-Bhutan Relations

India and Bhutan share very close political and diplomatic ties.

The relationship between the two countries is based on the Treaty of Perpetual Peace and Friendship, which was signed in 1949. The treaty was revised as the India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty in 2007.

According to the treaty, both countries have agreed not to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.

Both countries will cooperate closely on issues of national interest and will not allow the use of its territory to harm the national security and interests of the other.

The treaty provides for free trade and commerce between the two countries.