Keeping his focus on the neighbours, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to make his first trip abroad to India's closest ally, Bhutan. A team including MEA and SPG as well as other security agency officials are leaving for Thimphu on Friday to finalise details for the visit, sources confirmed to The Hindu on Thursday.
While a date for Mr. Modi's visit will be finalised during the advance team's visit, sources confirmed that it will be his first visit to a foreign country. With this decision Mr. Modi is making it clear that the neighbourhood is his immediate priority. He began his tenure in office by inviting all the SAARC leaders to his swearing in, and will travel to Kathmandu for the SAARC summit slated for November.
During the visit, Mr. Modi will be hosted by Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, and will meet with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who, it is reliably learnt, he has already spoken to on the telephone after taking over. The decision to visit Bhutan, with whom India holds the closest ties, is the third surprise announcement from the government, after >decisions to invite SAARC leaders and to >visit the US for bilateral talks and the UNGA in September.
