Thimphu, March 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated a modern hospital built with Indian assistance in Bhutan's capital Thimphu.

Modi was joined by his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay in inaugurating the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital in Thimphu – a Bhutan-India friendship project dedicated to the people of the Himalayan kingdom.

Modi, who arrived in Bhutan on Friday for a two-day State visit to further cement India's unique relations with the Himalayan nation, called on the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and held talks with Prime Minister Tobgay on Friday. Bhutan's King Wangchuck conferred the ‘Order of the Druk Glyalpo' to Prime Minister Modi at a public ceremony here on Friday, making him the first foreign Head of the Government to receive the honour. PM Modi Bhutan Visit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Shares Endearing Moments With Children Upon Arrival in Thimphu, Gets Warm Welcome (Watch Videos).

The award recognises Prime Minister Modi's contribution to strengthening the India-Bhutan friendship and his people-centric leadership. "It is with great humility that I accept the Order of the Druk Gyalpo. I am grateful to HM the King of Bhutan for presenting the Award. I dedicate it to the 140 crore people of India. I am also confident that India-Bhutan relations will keep growing and benefit our citizens," Modi wrote in a post on X on Friday night. PM Modi Conferred With Order of the Druk Gyalpo: Bhutan King Confers Prime Minister Narendra Modi Country’s Highest Honour.

PM Modi Inaugurates Hospital in Bhutan:

India and Bhutan established diplomatic relations in 1968. The basic framework of India- Bhutan relations has been the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949 between the two countries, which was revised in February 2007.