Wednesday, July 26 2006 15:21 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Economic and energy cooperation top the agenda of Bhutanese monarch Jigme Singye Wangchuk, who arrived here Wednesday on a six-day working visit - his first to the country this year.

Wangchuk was received at the Indira Gandhi International Airport by Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran.

He will call on President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and discuss with him an entire array of bilateral and regional issues.

He will meet ruling United Progressive Alliance chair Sonia Gandhi Friday.

On Saturday, the king will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and discuss an entire range of bilateral and global issues, including ways to expand energy and economic ties between the two countries.

During Wangchuk's visit, India and Bhutan are likely to sign an agreement on trade and commerce and another one on cooperation in hydro-electricity generation, official sources told IANS.

India and Bhutan, the idyllic Himalayan kingdom that measures its wealth in terms of gross national happiness, are expected to renew the agreement on trade and commerce, which was inked in 1995, for another 10 years.

Crown Prince Trongsa Penlop Dasho Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who is set to take over as king in 2008, and Trade and Industry Minister Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba are also part of Wangchuk's entourage.

India and Bhutan are also expected to sign the protocol to the Tala agreement on the 1,020 MW hydroelectric project - the biggest joint project between the two countries. The project, managed by Tala Hydroelectric Project Authority (THPA), is located in Chukha Dzongkhag in western Bhutan.

The 50-year-old king was here last year as chief guest on Republic Day. He was on a state visit again last year during which both sides reviewed an entire array of bilateral ties, including cooperation in hydropower projects, border management and security related issues.

The kingdom's foreign policy is guided by India, which also contributes substantially to its development budget. New Delhi recently provided an assistance package worth $450 million to Thimpu for its ninth five-year plan ending 2007.