Bhutan has conferred its highest civilian award, Ngadag Pel gi Khorlo, to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Overjoyed to hear His Majesty pronounce Your Excellency Modiji’s Narendra Modi name for the highest civilian decoration, Ngadag Pel gi Khorlo. PMO India,” Prime Minister of Bhutan’s official twitter handle said.
Separately in a Facebook post, Bhutan’s Prime Minister Lotay Tshering’s office said, “HM highlighted all the unconditional friendship and support Modiji extended over the years and particularly during pandemic. Much deserving! Congratulations from the people of Bhutan. In all interactions, seen Your Excellency as a great, spiritual human being. Looking forward to celebrating the honour in person.”
Bhutan was one of the first countries that received Covid 19 vaccines from India in January this year.
Also read: PM Modi gives clarion call for switch to organic farming in outreach to farmers
"As we celebrate the arrival of the vaccine as the new milestone in our battle to beat the pandemic at home, we applaud the gesture that signifies the compassion and generosity of the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, and the people of India for the wellbeing of the humanity," Tshering had tweeted after receiving the vaccines.
Delighted at this announcement by His Majesty.
It reflects the deep bonds of friendship that have grown even stronger since 2014. https://t.co/CRRrOD2gG3— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) December 17, 2021
He said it is a gift from a 'trusted friend'. He added, “It is of unimaginable value when precious commodities are shared even before meeting your own needs, as opposed to giving out only after you have enough."
India and Bhutan have shared good bilateral relations. According to the ministry of external affairs, mutually beneficial economic ties have been the main pillar of India-Bhutan bilateral relations. India continues to be the largest trading and development partner of Bhutan.
Bilateral trade between India and Bhutan stood at $1083 million in 2020-21. Since 2014, trade between the two countries has more than doubled. In 2014-15, trade India-Bhutan trade was estimated at $484 million.
