PM Modi addresses students in Bhutan, welcomes scientists to India for launching satellite

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Bhutan, on Sunday welcomed Bhutanese scientists to India, saying that it is a matter of great of happiness that they will be travelling to our country to design and launch their own small satellite. "I hope that someday soon, many of you will be scientists, engineers and innovators," Modi stated.

Addressing students at the Royal University of Bhutan in capital city Thimpu, Modi further hailed the natural beauty as well as the warmth and simplicity of the people in the country. "Anyone visiting Bhutan is struck as much by its natural beauty as by the warmth and simplicity of its people," he was quoted as saying.

The prime minister said people of Bhutan and India are attached to each other not only due to the geographical location, but also because of the history, culture and spiritual traditions that have created unique and deep bonds between them.

READ | Foreign Minister S Jaishankar arrives in Bhutan on first overseas visit

Referring to his government's flagship programme Ayushman Bharat, Modi said, "India is home to the world's largest healthcare scheme, which offers health assurance to 500 million Indians". "India has among the cheapest data connectivity in the world, which is directly and indirectly empowering millions," he added.

Addressing students at the Royal University of Bhutan. Watch. https://t.co/eGoTRXS1bI

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 18, 2019

PM Modi also mentioned the influence of Lord Buddha in his life and said much of what he wrote in his book 'Exam Warriors' is inspired by teachings of the Buddhdist monk, "especially the importance of positivity, overcoming fear and living in oneness, be it with the present moment or with mother nature".

READ | Rahul Gandhi meets Bhutan PM Lotay Tshering to discuss 'political situation in region'

"Bhutan has understood the spirit of harmony, togetherness and compassion. This very spirit radiated from the adorable children who lined the streets to welcome me yesterday. I will always remember their smiles," Modi went on to claim further, showring his praise to the Buddhist Kingdom on the edge of Himalaya.

Post that PM Modi reached the National Memorial Chhorten to pay his respects to the late Third Druk Gyalpo, who was a stalwart committed to peace, harmony and sustainable development. "Felt humbled after paying my respects at the National Memorial Chhorten," he tweeted.

Modi, who is on his second visit to Bhutan and the first since he resumed office for the second term in May, on Saturday received a red-carpet welcome at Paro International Airport. On his arrival in the Kingdom, Modi was received by his Bhutanese counterpart Lotay Tshering and several top officials. Shortly afterwards, he called on Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and exchanged views on taking the "exemplary" India-Bhutan partnership forward. He also received Guard Of Honour at Tashichhoedzong Palace in Thimpu.

Later in the day, Modi held wide ranging talks with Tshering during which they discussed steps to further expand the bilateral partnership across various sectors as the two nations signed 10 MoUs to infuse new energy in their ties. The 10 Memorandum of Understandings were inked in the field of space research, aviation, IT, power and education.

The prime minister also launched RuPay Card in Bhutan by making a purchase at Simtokha Dzong, built in 1629 by Shabdrung Namgyal, which functions as a monastic and administrative centre and is one of the oldest dzongs in Bhutan.

Aside, Modi's Bhutan visit also witnessed inauguration of the Mangdechhu hydroelectric power plant, one of the major projects under Bhutan's initiative to generate 10,000 MW hydropower by 2020 with the Indian government's support. Accompanied by Tshering, Modi also paid visit to historic Simtoka Dzong monument and planted a Cypress tree sapling.