His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan, paid an official visit to India from February 7 to 12, 2007. His Excellency Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, and senior officials of the Royal Government of Bhutan accompanied His Majesty the King.

During the visit, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck called on the President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. The King of Bhutan held talks with the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and met the Chairperson of the UPA, Smt. Sonia Gandhi. Prime Minister hosted a dinner in honour of the King of Bhutan. The Minister for External Affairs Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister Shri Shivraj Patil, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Defence Minister Shri A. K. Antony, Finance Minister Shri P. Chidambaram, Leader of the Opposition Shri L.K. Advani, and other senior government officials called on the King of Bhutan.

The leaders of India appreciated that the first visit abroad by the Fifth Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan is to India. This was a manifestation of the deep bonds of friendship and historical ties that bind the two countries. Both sides were confident that under the reign of the Fifth Druk Gyalpo, these ties would further deepen and strengthen. The Government of India paid warm tribute to the leadership of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, in making Indo-Bhutan relations an exemplary model of good-neighbourly relations.

The visit was marked by the signing of the historic India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty. The Treaty, which is an update of the Treaty signed by the two countries in 1949, reflects the contemporary nature of Indo-Bhutan relations, and lays the firm foundation for their further development in the 21st century. The Treaty creates a framework for continued mutually beneficial cooperation in a manner that is responsive to and serves each other's national interests. The Treaty will enable the further intensification of our relations in areas such as trade and economic cooperation, hydropower, human resource development, cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

The visit of the King of Bhutan continued the tradition of periodic exchange of visits at the highest levels between the two countries. During the visit both sides held a cordial exchange of views and discussions on bilateral issues as well as regional and international issues. They expressed their satisfaction at the excellent state of friendly relations and cooperation. They agreed that the destinies of their two countries were closely linked and that there was immense potential for further strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas. In this context, they expressed deep satisfaction at the successful commencement of commercial operations of the Tala Hydroelectric Power Project in Bhutan. It was agreed to put on fast track the development of other power projects.

The Government of India reaffirmed its full support to Bhutan during its period of transition to a democratic constitutional monarchy, including for the forthcoming elections. The Government of India reiterated its commitment to provide all possible assistance within its resources to the Royal Government of Bhutan in its socio-economic development programme, including the on-going Ninth Five Year Plan and the forthcoming Tenth Five Year Plan.

The two sides agreed to upgrade their respective Liaison Offices in Phuentsholing and Kolkata to full-fledged Consulates General.

The visit by His Majesty the King of Bhutan is yet another milestone in the history of relations between India and Bhutan, and greatly contributed in further enhancing the mutual goodwill, trust, understanding and friendship between the governments, leaders and peoples of the two countries.

His Majesty Jigme Khesar invited Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to pay an official visit to Bhutan. Prime Minister graciously accepted the invitation. Dates for the visit would be decided through diplomatic channels