Bhutan: Bhutan on Friday, conferred its highest civilian award to Indian PM Modi. The PMO of Bhutan in a post on Facebook announced PM Modi being honoured with the Ngadag pel gi award.
Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, the head of the state of the country, appreciated the ‘ unconditional friendship’ and support that India under the leadership of PM Modi has garnered towards Bhutan over the years precisely during the pandemic. “Much deserving! Congratulations from the people of Bhutan,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) of the country noted in an official post on Facebook. “In all interactions, seen Your Excellency as a great, spiritual human being. Looking forward to celebrating the honour in person.”
India and Bhutan share a mutual trade bond for years now. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the interlinkages have been of prime importance in bilateral trade. India has been the greatest support to Bhutan in terms of development- such as the 1020 MW Tala Hydroelectric Project, Paro Airport, and the Bhutan Broadcasting Station. In fact, Bhutan is the first nation that India gifted a regime of COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by SII. Earlier this year, the country received its first consignment of 1.5 lakh doses of the Covishield vaccine from India. Subsequently, a batch of 400,000 doses was received by Bhutan, thus enabling Himalayan land to fight back coronavirus.
The govt of India has been associated with Bhutan’s planned development since the first five-year plan was launched in 1961. The mutually beneficial economic ties have been the centrepiece of the nation’s relation. The Free trade agreement between the two nations has been mutually aiding development.