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His
Majesty the King in India |
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New
Delhi: 29 January 2005 - “This is a very special occasion
for us and you are a very special visitor,” said A.P.J. Abdul
Kalam of India. “Your Majesty’s visits have always reinvigorated
and provided new dimensions to the exemplary relationship between
our two countries.” The words of the president came alive in New Delhi this week as His Majesty the King, chief guest at the celebrations of India’s 56th Republic Day, was warmly received also by the vice president, Mr. Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, prime minister Dr. Manmohan |
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Singh,
the UPA chairperson Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, opposition leaders, cabinet
ministers, military leaders, media professionals, scholars, and
many other dignitaries. His Majesty the King was in India on a six-day state visit that was marked by grand ceremonial events. On January 25 His Majesty was presented a ceremonial welcome that included a salute by the colourful cavalry brigade, a guard of honour by the Indian army, navy, and air force, and a 21 gun salute. The highlight of the visit was the Republic Day parade, attended in New Delhi by hundreds of thousands of people and telecast live to millions more, celebrating the establishment of the world’s largest democracy. On January 26 His Majesty the King was escorted to the parade by President Kalam and formally welcomed by the prime minister and other Indian leaders. His Majesty and the Crown Prince joined the Indian leadership on the rostrum to watch the colourful and creative display of India’s military might as well as floats representing the nation’s economic progress, scientific achievements, and the cultural diversity of its vast expanse. Against the background of a thundering gun salute India paid respects to the courage, valour and sacrifices of its armed forces as the army, navy and air force and para-military forces presented a range of human power and weaponry that establish their presence on land, in air and sea. Highlights of the parade were the display of the Agni II missile and flypast of military aircraft in five formations, the grand finale being the “trishul”, comprising one SU-30 and two MiG 29 aircraft. The SU-30 demonstrated a breathtaking three and a half turn called “vertical charlie”. The president of India hosted a state banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan in honour of His Majesty the King, also attended by the Bhutanese delegation which included the foreign minister, Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, Bhutan’s ambassador to India, Lyonpo Dago Tshering, and government officials. The prime minister hosted a lunch for His Majesty. In a joint press release by the two governments, the government of India formally expressed its appreciation for the military action undertaken by Bhutan to flush out the Indian insurgents in December, 2003, and assured Bhutan of its commitment to prevent cross border security problems to ensure a good environment for trade and movement. President Kalam pointed out that peace and security were indivisible and that the flushing out of Indian insurgents from Bhutan had improved security in both countries. “It has sent a salutary message throughout our wider region that violence and terrorist activities will not be countenanced,” he said. “Through this act of great courage in which several brave soldiers of Bhutan made the supreme sacrifice, you have demonstrated that Bhutan is a true friend, deeply sensitive to our mutual security interests.” President Kalam also expressed his fascination for the concept of Gross National Happiness inspired by His Majesty the King, a concept that, he said, went to “the core issue without getting lost in the semantics of economics and statistics”. The president said that the Chukha and Kurichu hydropower projects conveyed the win-win nature of Indo-Bhutan cooperation. The Tala project, to be completed in 2006, would meet a part of the enormous energy demand in India. The joint press release stated that the two governments agreed to strengthen the mutually beneficial cooperation. “Bhutan expressed its appreciation for the invaluable and substantial assistance that the government of India continued to provide for the kingdom’s all round development. India reiterated its commitment to assist the royal government of Bhutan in its socio-economic development programmes in general and to the Ninth Plan in particular.” The programme grant component of India’s overall assistance for Bhutan’s Ninth Plan has been increased from Rs. 4,300 million to Rs. 7,100 million. His Majesty the King addressed the president, prime minister, cabinet ministers, military leaders, and more than 100 Indian dignitaries during the banquet on January 25. “As a close friend and neighbour we in Bhutan are proud and happy to see the great strides that India has taken in every field since she gained independence in 1947 and became a republic in 1950,” His Majesty said. His Majesty added that, for Bhutan, friendship with India was the cornerstone of its foreign policy. India, His Majesty said, had reciprocated with the friendship and generous assistance to the nation building process in Bhutan since the start of planned development. His Majesty also described India as a strong promoter of international peace and amity, contributing troops and participating actively in UN peace-keeping missions all over the world. His Majesty said that the time had come for India to be included as a permanent member in a more representative United Nations Security Council as recognised by a growing number of countries. His Majesty expressed the solidarity of the Bhutanese people for the families affected by the tsunami disaster and thanked India for the spontaneous and generous assistance extended to other countries despite the loss of life and property at home. “We were very impressed in Bhutan to see the government and the people of India come together to deal with the very tragic tsunami disaster in India and I would also like to express our deep appreciation to India for being the first country to provide generous assistance to our SAARC members countries, Sri Lanka and Maldives, almost immediately after the tsunami disaster.” Briefing the Indian leaders on political changes in Bhutan His Majesty said that the process had reached an important stage with the drafting of a Constitution. “In drafting the Constitution we attached the highest importance to the establishment of a parliamentary democracy that will provide good governance and fulfill the aspirations of the people of Bhutan,” His Majesty said. President Kalam expressed his appreciation for the royal visit to India and conveyed the best wishes of the government and people of India for the health and happiness of His Majesty the King, prosperity and happiness of the friendly people of Bhutan, and forever closer and warmer relations between India and Bhutan. By
Kinley Dorji in New Delhi |
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