His Majesty The King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, attended the funeral of India’s former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Saturday, following a day of solemn prayers in Thimphu. The nation of Bhutan joined in mourning the loss of a leader who played a pivotal role in strengthening the special relationship between the two countries.
Prayer ceremonies were conducted across all 20 Dzongkhags (districts) of Bhutan, as organized by the government. The Royal Bhutanese government also announced that the national flag was flown at half-mast across the country and at Bhutan’s embassies and consulates worldwide, as a mark of respect for Dr. Singh.
In Thimphu, a thousand butter lamps were lit in the sacred Kuenrey of Tashichhodzong. His Majesty The King led the prayer ceremony, which was attended by Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Indian Ambassador Sudhakar Dalela, members of the Royal Family, and senior government officials. This gesture symbolized Bhutan’s solidarity with its closest neighbor during a time of grief.
“Our national flags are being flown at half-mast across the country and at Bhutan’s embassies, missions, and consulates abroad to honor the late former prime minister and express our solidarity with the people of India,” stated the Bhutanese government in a message shared on social media.
On Saturday, His Majesty King Wangchuck traveled to Delhi to pay his final respects to Dr. Singh during the funeral held at the Nigambodh Ghat cremation ground.
Dr. Manmohan Singh, who served as India’s prime minister from 2004 to 2014, passed away on Thursday night at the age of 92. Known as the architect of India’s economic reforms, his tenure marked a period of significant progress in India-Bhutan relations.
During Dr. Singh’s leadership, the bond between the two nations was further solidified through goodwill, mutual trust, and cooperative efforts. The landmark Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, originally signed in 1949, was renewed in 2007 under his leadership, reaffirming the special relationship between Bhutan and India.
Hydropower cooperation, a cornerstone of Bhutan-India relations, also flourished during Dr. Singh’s tenure. The 2006 bilateral agreement and the 2009 protocol for cooperation in the hydropower sector were both milestones achieved under his stewardship, bringing mutual benefits to both nations.
Bhutan will continue to remember Dr. Manmohan Singh for his contributions to the enduring friendship between the two countries and joins India in mourning the loss of a visionary leader.
