Your Majesty, the King of Bhutan,
Your Majesty, the Fourth King,
Esteemed Members of the Royal Family,
Your Excellency, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay,
And, to my dear friends of Bhutan,
Namaskar,
Kuzu zangpola
Your Majesty,
Today is a very significant day in my life as an Indian. You have honoured me with Bhutan's highest National Award. Every award is special in its own way. But, when an award comes from another country, it strengthens the trust that both countries are moving in the right direction. It also reinforces our belief that our efforts are contributing to the welfare of the people in both countries. It motivates us to work harder and energizes us. However, this honour is not my personal achievement. It is an honour for India and 1.4 billion Indians. On this great land of Bhutan, I humbly accept this honour on behalf of all Indians. And for this honour, I thank you and the people of Bhutan from the bottom of my heart.
Your Majesty,
1.4 billion Indians know that the people of Bhutan are members of their own family. The people of Bhutan also know and believe that India is their family. Our relations are unbreakable, our friendship is unbreakable. Our mutual cooperation is unbreakable, and most importantly, our trust is also unbreakable. Therefore, today is a very special day for me. By happy coincidence, it was also His Royal Highness's birthday just three days ago. Two days ago, we also celebrated International Happiness Day. The weather definitely posed a little challenge, but it could not hinder the friendship between India and Bhutan and my visit here. Therefore, this occasion becomes even more special.
Your Majesty, Excellencies, Friends,
The relations between India and Bhutan are as ancient as they are new and relevant. When I became the Prime Minister of India in 2014, it was natural for me to visit Bhutan as my first foreign trip. And, I remember the day, ten years ago, when I came to Druk Yul – The Land of the Thunder Dragon. That welcome, that warmth of Bhutan had made the beginning of my tour of duty as Prime Minister a memorable one.
Your Majesty,
India and Bhutan share a common heritage. India is the land of Lord Buddha, his meditation ground. It is the land where Buddha attained enlightenment. Bhutan has embraced and preserved the teachings of Lord Buddha. Coming to this land of great Zhabdrung Namgyal even today that spiritual energy is felt. Thanks to the blessings of Guru Padmasambhava, this land has kept the teachings of Vajrayana alive even to this day. This art of moulding civilization with simplicity, the understanding of harmony between materialism and spirituality, the balance of happiness, prosperity, and traditions, I consider these as Bhutan's guidance for the entire world.
Your Majesty,
I am pleased that you are advancing Bhutan's rich heritage with a modern vision. Under your leadership, Bhutan is moving towards modernity with Mandala. Under your leadership, Bhutan is moving towards technology with Taktsang and towards innovation with inner joy. Bhutan has given the world a visionary framework like Gross National Happiness. I can say with confidence that Bhutan's Mindfulness City will also become an inspiration for the world. Similarly, the example of the COVID-19 global pandemic is before us. India stood shoulder to shoulder with Bhutan during those tough times. Your Majesty, during those difficult times I closely observed your sensitivity and administrative efficiency. Therefore, I am confident that under your leadership, Bhutan will reach new heights in technology, infrastructure, and manufacturing. Today, when the world is grappling with challenges like climate change, Bhutan's carbon-neutral progress will show the way to the world.
Friends,
We are proud that India has the opportunity to support visionary projects like the Gelephu launched by His Majesty the King. The aspirations of the youth of India and Bhutan are the same. Our goals are similar. India has set a goal to become a developed country by 2047. Similarly, Bhutan has set a goal to become a high-income country by 2034. To achieve this goal, India stands with you at every step to make ‘BB’ i.e., Brand Bhutan and Bhutan Believe, a success. I also assure you that in the coming five years, we will take the mutual cooperation between our two countries to new heights. We will work on new possibilities in connectivity, infrastructure, trade, and the energy sector between India and Bhutan.
Be it a new airport for better air connectivity, be it new rail links between Gelephu to Kokrajhar and Samtse to Banarhat, be it operations of waterways through the Brahmaputra, we will soon see these projects completed swiftly. Integrated Check Posts will also be built to strengthen trade infrastructure. As always, our full cooperation and support will continue for the Thirteenth Five-Year Plan of the Bhutanese government. I would also like to announce to my brothers and sisters of Bhutan that the Government of India will provide a support of Rs 10 thousand crore in this direction in the next five years.
Friends,
The closeness of our relationships is based on B2B as well as P2P. B2B means - Bharat to Bhutan, and P2P means - People to People. Our Connect! Our B2B relationships are connected with the wisdom and guidance of Lord Buddha and Guru Rinpoche. Our B2B relationships are also linked to the Himalayas and sacred rivers. Similarly, our P2P relationships carry a sense of affinity spanning thousands of years.
And now, thousands of people are benefiting from the water supply project, those are benefiting from agricultural and livestock development programs, whose lives have been changed from Damchu-Chukha Road, the children whose future is being shaped by educational programs, those who have gained a healthy life from Thimphu's Mother and Child Hospital, all these partners have become the new foundation of Bharat-Bhutan's P2P relationships. The youth studying in law schools, those who are training in sports academies, those Bhutanese students who are coming to study in India on scholarships, and those youth who will now train at the Gyalsung Academy, all these contribute to the foundation of Bharat and Bhutan's P2P partnership, and are also a guarantee of the bright future of our relations.
Friends,
India and Bhutan are working on several futuristic projects together. We are collaborating to build hydro power projects. The electricity generated from Bhutan's projects is being exported to India, benefiting Bhutan with foreign exchange. Our partnership is not limited to land and water only; Bhutan is now India's partner in space as well. Bhutanese scientists, in collaboration with ISRO, have launched the India-Bhutan satellite.
We also have deep cooperation in education and capacity building. Many generations of Bhutanese have been taught by Indian teachers, and now India is serving here to provide STEM teachers in Bhutan. In the past decade, digital libraries have been opened in all schools and colleges in Bhutan. Now education is being extended to remote areas through space technology. Moreover, along with cooperation, we also celebrate each other's successes. When India's mission Chandrayaan was successful, the people of Bhutan were filled with as much joy as the people of India did.
His Majesty had written a letter to me congratulating me on that historic day and had encouraged our scientists. And, when Bhutan's young Pawo Dorji’s film "Lunana”, got nominated for an Oscar, the people of India were as happy as if one of their own was nominated for an Oscar. This affinity makes our relationship unique. I was watching a cultural program, and the way you presented India's distinctiveness, its cultural heritage, songs, music, dance, or especially my Gujarat, I can estimate the hard work behind it, but India resides in your heart, that's why such an event happens, and that's why I congratulate you wholeheartedly.
Friends,
Today, India is the world's fastest-growing fifth-largest economy. To take today's achievements forward, we have taken a pledge of 25 years of Amritkaal. Soon, we are going to become the world's third-largest economy. Bhutan will be a strong partner in our journey.
On this occasion, on behalf of all Indians, I extend special thanks to His Majesty, the Fourth King. I believe that with your cooperation and guidance in the future, we will touch new heights. His Majesty, the way he expressed his feelings in his language, the respect and dignity that you have given me, the citation with the award, every word you have written, I don't know my worth, but whatever you have written, whatever you have said, with this in mind, I should adapt my life and take my work forward so that by realizing your wishes and ideas expressed by you, I can become instrumental in taking India-Bhutan relations to new heights in the future.
With this sentiment, once again, thank you very much for your love and respect.
Kadrinchey. Tashi Delek.
DISCLAIMER - This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister's remarks. Original remarks were delivered in Hindi.