King’s visit made official

October 19, 2010: Indian officials are making all efforts to turn private tour of King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk as official visit, that begins on Wednesday.

Earlier, the visit was planned to be private with king visiting some specific places of his interest. With greater engagement of China in Bhutan, India wants to further strengthen relation with the Himalayan kingdom.

Though India’s Ministry of External Affairs has gone for an upgrade to the private visit to an official one, it will not have the trappings of a state visit.

It has now been confirmed that the king will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on his arrival on October 20. He is also set to meet with Defence Minister A.K. Antony. The King will be delivering a keynote address at a function to mark the golden jubilee of the National Defence College in the Capital on October 21. He will also be a part of another function at NDC next day, also to be attended by President Pratibha Patil.

He will also attend a function at Doon School, Rathanbore, which is completing 75 years this month.