INDIA
The Gandhi family has had a special kinship with the Bhutanese royals ever since the time of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was the centre of attraction today at the ceremonial reception accorded to Bhutan's newly-wed royal couple as he was the only guest invited to the event, signifying the importance this tiny nation attaches to the Nehru-Gandhi family.
Gandhi, who arrived here from New Delhi yesterday to attend the celebrations, mingled freely with members of the royal family, who had personally invited him to participate in the National Celebrations to mark the fairy tale wedding of King Jigme Khesar Nagyel Wangchuck with his childhood sweetheart Jetsun Pema.
The ceremonial reception, during which the king and the queen were accorded Guard of Honour by the Royal Bhutan Army, was a family-and-government affair except for the presence of Gandhi, who is a close friend of 31-year-old Oxford-educated King.
Accompanied by the present King's father Jigme Singye Wangchuck, Rahul came to the TashichhoDzong, the seat of the Royal Government of Bhutan, at around 7am local time, much later than the members of the royal family who had assembled at the large monastic fortress.
The 41-year-old Nehru-Gandhi family scion was introduced to Je Khenpo, the chief monk of Bhutan, and then escorted straight to the place where the members of the royal family were waiting.
All shook hands with him warmly and the Amethi MP was seen chatting with them casually for over 20 minutes as they waited for the king and the queen to arrive.
"He (Rahul) is the only guest invited for the ceremony. He is a very close friend of our king and both families have had an excellent relationship over the years," Dasho Kinley Dorji, secretary, Bhutan's Ministry of Information and Communication, told PTI.
"His father Rajiv Gandhi was a close friend of the present king's father," he said.
Rahul Gandhi, a personal guest of the royal family, was not accompanied by SPG personnel when he visited the palace and attended the reception.
Sporting a smile, Rahul, clad in his trademark white kurta-pyjama with a black coat, welcomed the king and queen with a 'namaste' and even bowed for a while along with the members of the royal family as a mark of respect to the couple.
Rahul was also introduced to other members of the civilian government and stood patiently as the Guard of Honour was presented.
At the National Day celebrations too, Rahul was a special guest and was seated in a special enclosure that had only members from the royal family.
His party colleague and Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia came to his enclosure and was seen talking to him for a while.
Whenever the king stood up, the people sitting with him in the royal enclosure also rose. The Gandhi family has had a special kinship with the Bhutanese royals ever since the time of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
The entire Gandhi family, including Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, had attended Wangchuck's coronation in 2008.
From Play to Pay, Gaming Is Big Business And A Genuine Professional Prospect
Leasehold vs Freehold: Exploring Options for Expats and Investors in Dubai
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance, Disney complete Rs 70352 crore media merger, to be headed by...
Badshah lands in legal trouble, case registered against rapper for...
GRAP III imposed in Delhi: What is allowed, what is banned amid 'severe' air quality
'Throwing me in deep end': Ricky Ponting takes fresh dig at Gautam Gambhir over Virat Kohli remarks
Revolutionizing Inventory Management in the Cloud Era: Pradeep Kumar’s Strategic Innovations
Delhi: AAP's Mahesh Khichi elected mayor as party defeats BJP in MCD polls
Delhi Air Pollution: GRAP 3 to be imposed in national capital from Nov 15, strict ban on...
WATCH: Inside Rinku Singh's Rs 3.5 crore luxurious house with rooftop bar, private pool
NASA alert! Giant 'God Of Chaos' asteroid set for close approach to Earth, may trigger astroquakes
Renowned Yoga Guru Sharath Jois passes away at 53 after suffering heart attack
UPPSC protest BIG update: RO-ARO exam postponed, PCS prelims to be held in one day
This man earned more money than Mukesh Ambani and world's richest man Elon Musk in one day, he is...
'World's best....': Japan vlogger's reaction to Bengaluru airport goes viral
Sania Mirza named Sports Ambassador of THIS city, not Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur
Shloka Mehta turns heads in sleek white gown at Tira store launch, see pics
Amid Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai divorce rumours, Jaya Bachchan surprises everyone with...
IND vs SA: Arshdeep Singh goes past Bhuvneshwar Kumar to become Indian pacer with most....
Mukesh Ambani, Isha Ambani’s luxury retail chain opens new store at...
PM Modi to receive Dominica’s highest national award for...
Shraddha Kapoor says people with big foreheads are…
'Busy making...': Kanhaiya Kumar sparks row with remarks on Devendra Fadnavis' wife; BJP hits back
'Full baarati vibes': Vietnamese man's epic 'nagin dance' steals show at Mumbai event
Tilak Varma credits THIS player for his century against South Africa, says 'He gave me...'
UPSC IFS Mains Admit Card 2024 to be released today at upsc.gov.in, check direct link to download
'Be prepared for...': Rupali Ganguly's stepdaughter Esha Verma REACTS to Rs 50 crore defamation case
Saudi, Iran: Cautious dance toward détente?
Anushka Sharma shares glimpse of Children’s Day special dish for daughter Vamika, son Akaay
Jaw-dropping! Man wraps massive green anaconda around his shoulders, internet says...
Donald Trump plans to end Russia-Ukraine war with THIS move, is expected to 'soon' appoint...
As pollution worsens in Delhi with AQI at 'severe' level, experts at COP29 urge India to...
SDM Assault Case: 60 people arrested in Rajasthan's Tonk
Veg thali cost more than non-veg thali in October, here's why
Land drug trafficking patterns in North-Eastern Region
Shillong Teer Result November 14, 2024: Know updates on lucky winning numbers
Mukesh Ambani's SUPERHIT offer for Jio users: Get unlimited validity for 84 days at just Rs...
Delhi air quality dips to 'severe' category as AQI nears dangerous...
Bigg Boss OTT-fame Bhojpuri actress Akshara Singh receives extortion threat
‘All I do is…’: After Arjun Kapoor confirms breakup with Malaika Arora, her cryptic video goes viral
World Diabetes Day 2024: Types, causes, precaution to avoid this chronic disease
Children's Day 2024: 50 WhatsApp wishes, messages, quotes to share on bal diwas
AUS vs PAK Live Streaming: When and where to watch Australia vs Pakistan 1st T20I live in India?
IND vs SA: Ramandeep Singh achieves THIS feat on T20I debut, joins Suryakumar Yadav in elite list
Meet man who used to earn just Rs 65, now heads Rs 23416 crore company, he is…
DNA TV Show: Arsh Dalla, Khalistani terrorist, arrested in Canada
Pushpa 2 first review: Rashmika Mandanna says Allu Arjun movie is 'freaking amazing'
SA vs IND: Tilak Varma scripts history with maiden century in 3rd T20I against South Africa