The Prime Minister of India came
to Bhutan in the morning of 15th and left in the afternoon of 16th
June, 2014. He was welcomed with full ceremonial honours to Tashichhodzong for
his audience with His Majesty the King. And the next day, he addressed the
Bhutanese Parliament followed by a cultural luncheon hoisted by His Majesty the
King and attended by His Majesty the 4th King at Tashichhodzong
Dratsang side Courtyard.
The state visit to Bhutan was
more like a rehearsal for Narendra Modi’s preparation for state visits to other
Nations. I hope the Indian security forces for the Prime Minister found the
experience rewarding. The address in Hindi to the Parliament of Bhutan was the
first of its kind. The Speaker said that it was the privilege of the Parliament
of Bhutan that Prime Minister Modi agreed to address and impart lessons. I
always thought that the opportunity for any outsider to address a national
legislative body in any Country was actually an honour and privilege to the
addressor.
I am most impressed by the vote
of thanks speech of the Chairman of National Council Lyonpo Sonam Kinga. The
tone, the wordings and the manner of delivery set the highest standard of
Parliamentary culture. We do have few people who do not lose their nerves on
important occasions.
The visit was too early in the
reign of the new Prime Minister to expect any policy change of India for Bhutan.
So it was confirmation of the past commitments and dictates. Stay within the
armpit of India including the promotion of tourism in conjunction with the
North East Frontier States of the Union of India and things will be ok for
Bhutanese democratic leadership.
Personally I think it was an
opportune moment for their Majesties the Kings to know Narendra Modi better. It
may also be the only time that the 4th King will be meeting the new
Indian Prime Minister in person.
There were several tale telling
signs during the state visit of the Prime Minister of India to the Kingdom of
Bhutan. The 1st was the wind blowing away the greeting scarf from
the hands of the Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay at Paro Airport. I
wish he had let it be after all Modi did not carry a greeting scarf. The next
time I think protocol should stick to bouquet of flowers presented by kids and
firm handshake between leaders.
The 2nd was the
furious rain and wind mini storm before Modi’s reception at Tashichhodzong. It
really worried me. India deserves the full fury of the Bhutanese Deities but
the ceremonial reception at Tashichhodzong was a Bhutanese national show. It
must never be dampened. I prayed hard for the Deities and Dratsang to set the
stage right. In the nick of the time the storm subsided and even the sun peeked
in at the ceremonial reception. It is I believe a sign of further good fortune
for His Majesty the King and the Nation.
I am most happy that both the
ceremonial reception and the cultural luncheon the next day at Tashichhodzong Courtyards
went off very well. The nation especially the Royal members led by their
Majesties the King and the Queen worked so hard to make the preparations. These
preparations are issues of national pride and prestige.
The 3rd was the Nepali
mood of Indian Prime Minister in the Bhutanese Parliament. I was quite
disturbed by Modi’s reference to Bhutan as Nepal where India is said to be the
implicating hand behind the end of Monarchy.
The 4th was the BBS
live picture before Modi’s address to the Bhutanese Parliament. Was it a live
picture? I believe so. In between the national flags of Bhutan was the Indian tricolor
flag upon which a raven perched. As long as the raven had the wisdom and the
courage to perch upon the tricolor flag pole of India, it is my belief that the
Kingdom of Bhutan shall remain the sole sovereign nation of the Deities and
people of Bhutan. The past year witnessed unprecedented domination of Bhutan by
India and the 2nd democratic government of Bhutan did not seem to
care where its foot was placed. It was, therefore, a deep relief that the
events at Tashichhodzong were successfully held and that the raven sat perched
on the tricolor flag pole just before the Indian Prime Minister addressed the
Bhutanese Parliament. To me it was a sign that the Monarch and the Deities of
Bhutan shall reign supreme in the years ahead for sovereign Bhutan. May Pelden
Drukpai Chho - Chang always protect the Nation and the Bhutanese people. My deepest
faith in the Deities and the Dratsang.
May goodness prevail and hope the views expressed above does not lead to any disharmony between Bhutan and India. Of course one is entitled to have his/her opinion but but its hard when the views expressed can sometime cause misunderstanding.
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