KATHMANDU, Oct 3: Former King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah reached Bhutan with a five-member delegation on Thursday. Shah departed for Bhutan via Druk Airlines and landed in Thimphu, where he was welcomed at the airport by Bhutanese Princess.
His six-member delegation includes his daughter Prerana, niece Sitashma, and Raju Singh, a close relative. It is reported that although the former King’s Press Secretariat said that the visit is private, it is widely speculated that the visit carries political interest as well.
Why is former King Gyanendra visiting Bhutan?
It is reported that the former monarch has gone there to pay a call on Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. It is also said that this visit may be seen as an attempt by the Indian establishment to convey its message through the Bhutanese King.
The Bhutanese King is believed to maintain close ties with India. Former King Gyanendra is expected to meet the Bhutanese King and other high-ranking officials during the visit.
The visit is expected to last for three to four days, with the former monarch anticipated to return to Nepal before Dashain Tika.