It is with great pleasure that I find myself back in India since my most memorable first visit two years ago. I have looked forward to returning and resuming friendships I had the pleasure to make and building new ones. I am very happy to see so many old friends of Bhutan here today.

It is an honour for me as a graduate student to address this distinguished gathering and for that I express my deepest gratitude for this opportunity.

Before I begin let me convey the greetings of His Majesty the King of Bhutan to all those gathered here and to the government and people of India.

It is through the leadership and wisdom of His Majesty the King that Bhutan has achieved its own unique vision of development known to the world as Gross National Happiness. I am proud to be a citizen of Bhutan as His Majesty leads us through this momentous period in our history.

An important wish of my father, and that of his father before him, is that Bhutan and India share everlasting friendship and cooperation. I am honoured to say that I, too regard India as our special friend.

Therefore, choosing India Bhutan relations as the focus of my short talk today came naturally because it is a subject that is closest to my heart. Moreover, it is something that every one present here today stands united behind since we all value and treasure the friendship of our two nations.

I do not wish to speak of India Bhutan relations by trying to analyze it according to different theories of political science. There is already substantial literature in this field by distinguished scholars and diplomats of India and Bhutan. Being a student, I may not add much to that avenue of discussion.

Most people would speak of India Bhutan relations in terms of economic aid and security. There is no doubt that these are important aspects of our relations. We all know that Bhutan's first foray into modern development began with the most timely advice and assistance of India in the 1950's, and has since then continued to grow with every five-year plan.

In 1958, when Prime Minister Nehru first visited Bhutan, he said Bhutan needed to look no further than India for all its development needs. Though Bhutan has since then, diversified its partnerships with donor nations, I personally hope that India remains our partner in the most important areas.

His Late Majesty, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the architect of India Bhutan friendship said "the destiny of Bhutan is intimately bound with that of India and it is in our mutual interests to still further the existing bonds of friendship and understanding between our two nations." This I believe is the very foundation upon which India Bhutan relations have developed.

Despite the rapid changes in the regional and global politics, I feel that our paths will always be linked. Geopolitical realities as well as our cultural and historical ties will guarantee that our two countries will always share common security interests and will seek to mutually defend them.

On a more personal level and as a Bhutanese citizen and a friend of India I appreciate greatly the significance of the ties that we have shared. During the course of my studies in England, most of my friends were Indian.

What I am trying to say is that though our governments share a great relationship, it is as individuals that we share the greatest similarities and bonds, regardless of which part of the world we are in.

After all it was from very personal bonds of friendship between two great men, that our alliance was born.

It is said that a man's most important relationships are formed in the early years of life. I think this is true even for India and Bhutan. One country - still radiating joy and warmth from the attainment of Independence - ushered the other into the realm of modernization.

This is why, it is an honour to be the President of the Bhutan India Friendship Association through which I will have the opportunity to work towards building upon our existing relations, as well as exploring new and exciting possibilities to further enhance India Bhutan friendship. I am confident that the members of the institution and those of our sister organization here in India are as excited as I am.

I am here today on a visit of goodwill, a tradition begun by none other than Prime Minister Nehru and my grandfather and continued by every successive leader of India and Bhutan. I am indeed honoured to be a part of this legacy.

It is with pride and pleasure that I remind you that my father's first visit after his Coronation, and my own first official visit as Crown Prince, was to this country. I am also happy to inform you that in a few weeks His Majesty The King will again visit India.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am convinced that the future of India Bhutan relations lies in the hands of our peoples. That while, in the past, the constant and harmonious interaction of our governments has been the core of our relationship, henceforth the personal ties and affection between our peoples will be the bond that holds our destinies together forever.

As Bhutan strides forward today, confident and proud, we will not forget India's role in the process. We have been fortunate to work with a neighbour who chose not to remain confined to providing aid but played an active role in helping Bhutan preserve its natural environment, its culture and traditions and most importantly, its sovereignty and security.

It is therefore with great pride that I watch as India is increasingly called upon to assume its rightful place in world affairs. I feel that there is no nation more suited to an international leadership role. India's involvement in Bhutan is a perfect example of its commitment to liberty, universal equality and justice - From a guiding role upon Bhutan's first step to modernization we now stand as equal partners in the global arena.

My prayers for the hopes and aspirations of the Bhutanese people will always include a prayer for the success and prosperity of India and her people.

Let me conclude by saying that I hope that all of you in this room and all the people whom I have met or will meet in the future, will from this day on, take me as your friend, a member of the Indian family, and NOT as an occasional visitor.