NEW DELHI, Oct 20 � Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and discussed a host of issues aimed at strengthening the �profound bond� between the two countries in the midst of regional and global change, reports PTI
Singh also hosted a lunch for the Bhutanese King whose visit comes amidst reports about China stepping up its engagement with Bhutan.
�The two leaders discussed a whole array of bilateral issues aimed at ensuring that the profound bond between the two countries is further strengthened in the midst of regional and global change,� a statement by the Bhutan Embassy said.
According to some reports, the visit was earlier planned to be a private one with the King going to some specific places of interest but with greater engagement of China in Bhutan, India wants to further strengthen relations with the Himalayan kingdom and officials here have ensured that some bilateral meetings take place during his stay.
Later, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao met the King separately and discussed various issues of mutual interest.
During his nine-day visit, the King is also scheduled to deliver a special address at the Golden Jubilee celebration of the National Defence College (NDC) here which will be attended by President Pratibha Patil.
