Thimphu: Becoming the first world leader to address the Bhutan Parliament, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today strongly pitched for a South Asia that is "at peace with itself" and expressed India's readiness to assist in making the region more secure and prosperous.

Singh, who is on a two-day visit here, assured Bhutan that India will stand by the Himalayan country as a factor of stability and support.

The Indian Prime Minister is the first world leader to address the Bhutan Parliament after the historic March elections taking the country on the path of democracy.

"India desires to see a South Asia, which is at peace with itself. We wish to contribute to ever widening circles of security, peace and prosperity in our region," Singh said addressing the Bhutan National Assembly.

"It is with this objective that we look towards working further with Bhutan, in both the bilateral and regional context. A Bhutan that is sovereign, prosperous and secure is central to our vision for the future," he said.
Source : PTI