The King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and the Queen Jetsun Pema have arrived here on Monday for a five-day official visit. They are housed in the renovated Dwarka suite in Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Earlier the visiting heads of state or heads of government used to stay in Rashtrapati Bhavan. But since 1990s the visiting dignitaries preferred to stay inposh 5-star hotels.

The Bhutanese Foreign Minister, Home Minister and Economic Affairs Minister are part of the royal delegation.

The King of Bhutan has been invited by the President of India Pranab Mukherjee.

While in India, the King of Bhutan will meet with the President of India Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh. The Vice President of India, Hamid Ansari, Chairperson of the UPA,Sonia Gandhi, Finance Minister, P Chidambaram, External Affairs Minister, Salman Khurshid, Home Minister, Sushilkumar Shinde, Leader of the Opposition, Sushma Swaraj National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon will be calling on the King of Bhutan.

On his arrival the Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh and the Chief of the Army Staff Bikram Singh called upon the Bhutanese King.

The unique relations between India and Bhutan are characterized by close friendship, deep understanding and mutual trust. The visit of the King of Bhutan will contribute to further strengthening and expanding the close bilateral relations between our two countries.