Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma hosts historic meeting with Bhutan King in Guwahati

Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, welcomed Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk on his maiden three-day visit to Assam. The historic meeting, characterized by mutual respect and shared vision, showcased the deep-rooted bonds between the two neighboring nations.

Earlier today, the Bhutanese King, along with his entourage, arrived at the Lokpriya Gopinath International Airport in Guwahati, where they received a grand welcome from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, cabinet members, and senior officials of the Assam government.

The Assam Governor, Gulab Chand Kataria, will host a cultural program and a dinner in the King's honor to celebrate this significant diplomatic visit.

His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk's visit to Assam carries profound symbolism, as it reaffirms the age-old bonds shared by the two nations, exemplified through various areas of cooperation, such as academic linkages, infrastructure partnerships, healthcare collaboration, shared spiritual heritage, and strong people-to-people ties.

The Assam Chief Minister took to a microblogging site to express his gratitude and enthusiasm regarding the King's visit, stating, "I had the privilege to call upon His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan, in Guwahati. We have benefited immensely from His Majesty’s vision. I conveyed the enthusiasm among our people to strengthen Hon’ble Prime Minister’s doctrine of Neighbourhood First. Druk Gyalpo's visit is a great honor for Assam."

On the itinerary for the Bhutanese King is a visit to the iconic Kaziranga National Park, renowned for its one-horned rhinoceros population, scheduled for November 4. During his welcome in Assam, the King was presented with Assam's traditional 'Gamocha' and greeted warmly by the Chief Minister and his cabinet colleagues.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk's also visited the Kamakhya Temple atop the Nilachal Hills in the city. His interactions with the Bhutanese diaspora in Guwahati further reinforced the cultural and people-to-people ties between the countries.

Following his visit to Assam, the Bhutanese King will proceed to New Delhi on November 5, where he is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and other senior officials of the Government of India.