Thimphu: Bhutan has accorded great significance to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to the country, saying it will give the new government the opportunity to discuss regional and global issues and create room for further collaboration.

"We are particularly pleased and happy that we are able to receive the prime minister of our best friend and neighbour to address the first joint sitting of parliament," Bhutan's Prime Minister Jigme Y Thinley said.

Singh will reach here on a two-day visit tomorrow. "The visit will give the new leadership in Bhutan and myself in particular, the opportunity to discuss and share our perceptions on regional and global issues and create room for further collaboration," he was quoted as saying by the Kuensel newspaper.

Thinley said apart from the fact that it was the golden jubilee of first Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru's visit to the Himalayan country, Singh's trip was particularly significant because he is the first head of government to visit Bhutan after the establishment of democracy.

India had reason to be satisfied about and proud of Bhutan's successful transition from monarchy to a full-fledged democracy because, as the closest friend and neighbour, it had supported and encouraged the king (Jigme Singye Wangchuck) during the transition process, he said.

Singh's visit also coincided with the beginning of Bhutan's 10th Plan, during which the DPT government intends to engage in programmes and activities that would deepen the economic and trade relations between the two countries.
Source : PTI