President Pranab Mukherjee has left for a two day state visit to Bhutan to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. During the visit the President will have meetings and interactions with Bhutan's king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay. In an interview to Bhutan Broadcasting Service on the eve of his visit to the Himalayan state, Mr Mukherjee described ties between India and Bhutan as a model relationship. He yesterday said that mutual trust and confidence have helped build close relations between the two neighbours.

Mr Mukherjee said India will continue to assist it in its economic development as Bhutan was special to India. He said India has given 300 crore rupees to Bhutan last year and another 900 crore rupees has already been disbursed this year for development purposes and more aid will also be disbursed in the course of time. Briefing media on the President's visit, Foreign Secretary Ms. Sujata Singh said in New Delhi last evening that this will be the first visit of an Indian President to Bhutan after a gap of 26 years.

The Foreign Secretary said that 2014 is the year of all round consolidation of India's relations with Bhutan. Our correspondent reports that MoU on establishment of Nalanda University and agreements in the field of education sector are likely to be signed during the visit. The President will be accompanied by a high level delegation including Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha, four Members of Parliament, senior officials and representative from educational institutions.