This would be the first visit abroad of the new Bhutanese King after the Royal Wedding on October 13, 2011 and this will also be his fourth visit to India since his Coronation in November 2008.

He had earlier been on a State visit to India in December 2009. He was the Chief Guest at the Convocation Ceremony of the Kolkata University in October 2010. Also in October 2010 he was the Guest of Honour at the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the National Defence College, New Delhi, of which he is an alumnus.

It will, however, be the first visit of Jetsun Pema Wangchuck as Queen of Bhutan. She tied the knot with the 31-year-old king at a colourful Buddhist ceremony at a 17th century monastery in the ancient capital of Punakha October 13. She is no stranger to India. She studied at Lawrence School, Sanawar and St Joseph's Convent in Kalimpong.in Darjeeling district of West Bengal.

The royal couple has chosen India as their destination for honeymoon. They will visit Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaypur in Rajasthan. The Indian government is pulling out all stops to fete the royal couple and is arranging a special train on the lines of the Palace on Wheels that will take them across Rajasthan.

As a Head of the State, King Wangchuck is slated to meet the President of India, Pratibha Devisingh Patil who will host a banquet in his honour. The Vice President of India M Hamid Ansari and other Indian dignitaries will call on King Wangchuck .

The King of Bhutan will also hold official level talks with the Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh. At the official talks, India is expected to further enhance developmental assistance to the Himalayan state which has carved a unique niche by choosing to measure its national wealth in terms of gross national happiness. The two sides are expected to review their cooperation in the field of hydropower generation and discuss ways to scale up trade and investment.