New DelhiPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday received Bhutan's highest civilian award, the 'Order of the Druk Gyalpo', the first foreign Head of the Government to receive the honour. The award has been conferred on Prime Minister Modi in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the growth of India-Bhutan relations and for his distinguished service to the Bhutanese nation and people.
After receiving the award, addressing a gathering, PM Modi said the affinity between the people of India and Bhutan makes their bilateral relationship unique while emphasising that "Bharat" resides in people's hearts in this Himalayan nation. Modi said the successful endeavour of one country is cheered by the other. "The affinity between people of India and Bhutan makes our relationship unique," he said. In his address, he told the Bhutanese people that "India resides in your hearts".
Meanwhile, a former diplomat, who was also the former Information Adviser and Spokesman in the Prime Minister’s Office during the tenure of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi (1985-90) on the condition of anonymity told ETV Bharat that Bhutan and India have special relations. “Bhutan has kept the Chinese at the distance and met all India's needs and had close security relations with New Delhi", the former envoy said.
“We have had our problems now and then but otherwise India doesn't interfere in their system of governance. The only thing India needs to be careful and even Bhutan is careful is regarding its relations with China”, he added. He noted that the Bhutanese royalty has been very comfortable with the relations with India.
The former diplomat pointed out that Bhutan has always been careful on the sensitive issues related to India and on the other hand, India has lived up to Bhutan's expectations of respecting their identity and sovereignty. “Bhutan is the only country with which we officially have a normal relationship. India-Bhutan always have had cordial relations and New Delhi has been the largest provider of cooperation. We are the one who keeps their economy strong”, the former diplomat added.