Narendra Modi arrives at Paro Airport in Bhutan
He was received by Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay at the Paro airport and was given a ceremonial guard of honour.
He is accompanied by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh. Also read: Modi gives a sense of purpose and hope: Bhutan PM
Modi will meet Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk during his visit which will see the two sides exploring ways to boost their ties, particularly in trade and hydro-electricity.
Modi will also address the joint session of the Parliament of Bhutan.
The fact that the Prime Minister chose Bhutan as his first foreign destination assumes significance since China has lately intensified efforts to woo it and establish full- fledged diplomatic ties with Thimphu.
Ahead of his visit, Modi said Bhutan was a "natural choice" as his first foreign destination because of the "unique and special relationship".
In his pre-departure statement, Modi said relations with Bhutan will be a key foreign policy priority of his government.
"I am looking forward to my first-ever visit to Bhutan and to nurturing and further strengthening India's special relations with Bhutan," said Modi before undertaking the trip at the invitation of Bhutan's King and the Prime Minister.
Modi was given a ceremonial guard of honour.
"Bhutan is one of our most important strategic partners ....It is a very good country to show our policy of good neighbourliness in South Asia and special token of our friendship," she said explaining why Bhutan was chosen as the first foreign destination of Modi.
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