India, Bhutan made for each other: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that India and Bhutan are made for each other, and added that both countries are tied through culture, legacy and values.

"I assure Bhutan and its citizen, whether its economic development, education, tourism or peace, India and Bhutan are 'made for each other'. B for B - Bhutan for Bharat and Bharat for Bhutan," said Modi said while addressing the banquet hosted by Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay.

Thanking the Bhutan government and the people for the reception he received, Modi said "Bhutan has welcomed me and my delegation with great pride and I am very grateful for this gesture. Our relation is not because of boundary but our relation is tied through a great cultural history. The color of our passports may be different but our thinking, values and legacy are all the same. Our way of living and our languages can be different but our feelings are the same which has tied us for years."

He also said that when world talks about the GDP, Bhutan talks about happiness.

"There are many parameters to measure happiness. But there is one more parameter. It is important for a one's happiness given how good your neighbor is. Sometimes even after having everything one cannot live peacefully with happiness just because of your neighbour. Therefore for Bhutan, a neighbour like India is one of the most important parameter for its happiness," Modi added.

He also said that a happy neighbor also paves the road to progress and development of the country.

"Despite such topography, Bhutan has made tremendous progress. India is committed to Bhutan's happiness and progress. In India, government may have changed, but strengthening our relations with Bhutan is our aim also," he said.

He asserted that the bilateral relations between should not be limited to trade and money, and said that the two countries should further enhance relations according to a next generation model.

Earlier today, the Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft carrying Modi landed at Paro Airport, where Modi was received by Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, members of his cabinet and senior Bhutanese and Indian Embassy officials.

Later in the day, Modi met Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay and Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk.

Afterwards, Modi inaugurated the new building of the Supreme Court of Bhutan, which has been built with assistance of India.

On Monday, Prime Minister Modi will address a joint sitting of the 3rd session of the second parliament of Bhutan on the morning of June 16.

He will then unveil the foundation stone of the 600 megawatt Kholongchu Hdropower Project. Construction works for the joint venture project is expected to start between September and October this year.

The King of Bhutan will host a lunch in honour of the prime minister and his delegation before they depart from Thimphu on June 16.