Reiterating that India is the cornerstone of Bhutan's foreign policy, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay said that the Bhutanese Government is committed to this policy, and added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to his country is significant for the bilateral relations between the two countries.
"India is the corner stone of Bhutan's foreign policy. The Bhutan Government is committed to this policy," said Bhutan PM while addressing the banquet hosted in Modi's honour.
"It is a great honor and privilege for the people and the Bhutan Government to receive Narendra Modi after his swearing in as the Prime Minister of India. I was most fortunate to attend his swearing ceremony in Delhi," he said.
He also thanked Modi for accepting the invitation of Bhutan King to visit the country.
"Your visit is of huge significance to Bhutan and to the relations between the two countries.
The fact that you have chosen Bhutan as your first visit abroad and that too in three weeks speaks volumes about unique and special relations our country enjoys and more importantly for your personal commitment towards this relationship," he added.
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He also supported India's bid for a permanent seat in United Nations Security Council.
"India rightly deserves the permanent seat in the U.N Security Council; Bhutan on its part has been consistently calling for reform of the Security Council and India's inclusion as a permanent member. Bhutan will continue to call for the Security Council reform and it is our earnest hope that this will happen soon," he said.
Recalling Jawaharlal Nehru's visit to the country in 1958, Bhutan PM said, "His visit laid the foundation for bilateral relations. Since then successive leaders of the two countries have carefully nurtured and shaped the relationship."
"Today our relations are nothing short of excellent. They serve the example of good neighborly relations. Bhutan and India continue to follow the time tested and valued tradition of regular high level visits established by our leaders. It allows us to adapt according to change and time.
He also the socio-economic and political landscape of Bhutan has totally transformed and attributed this achievement to India.
"For 11th plan the Indian government has committed 45 billion rupees excluding 5 billion rupees allocated for economic stimulus plan. We extremely grateful for this assistance." He added.
He also said that Cooperation in the development of hydropower project is rooted in mutual benefit and mutual prosperity.
"We plan to increase production of power to 10,000 MW by 2020. Tomorrow, Excellency will lay the foundation of 600 MW Kholongchu Hydropower project. This will take us a step closer to our goal," he added.