New Delhi : Days after their royal wedding, Bhutan’s king and queen will come here next week on a nine-day state visit that will pack in diplomacy as well as a honeymoon trip to Rajasthan.
This would be Bhutan’s monarch Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck’s fourth visit to India since his coronation in November 2008.
It will be, however, the first visit of Jetsun Pema Wangchuck as queen of Bhutan. She tied the knot with the 31-year-old king at a colourful Buddhist ceremony at a 17th century monastery in the ancient capital of Punakha Oct 13.
In New Delhi, Wangchuk will meet President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
At the official talks, India is expected to further enhance developmental assistance to the Himalayan state which has carved a unique niche by choosing to measure its national wealth in terms of gross national happiness.
The two sides are expected to review their cooperation in the field of hydropower generation and discuss ways to scale up trade and investment.
One of the highlights of the couple’s visit will be their trip to Rajasthan cities Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur.
The Indian government is pulling out all stops to fete the rotal couple and is arranging a special train on the lines of the Palace on Wheels that will take them across Rajasthan.
Jetsun Pema is no stranger to India. She studied at Lawrence School, Sanawar and St Joseph’s Convent in Kalimpong.
IANS
