New Delhi, December 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday thanked his Bhutanese counterpart Lotay Tshering after Bhutan honoured him with the highest civilian award of the country - Order of the Druk Gyalpo.

In a series of tweets, PM Modi said India will always cherish Bhutan as one of its closest friends and neighbours.

Also Read | Millipede With 1,306 Legs, Discovered in Australia, is The World's Leggiest Creature.

"Thank you, Lyonchhen @PMBhutan! I am deeply touched by this warm gesture, and express my grateful thanks to His Majesty the King of Bhutan," tweeted the Prime Minister tweeted. PM Narendra Modi Conferred with Bhutan's Highest Civilian Award Ngadag Pel gi Khorlo.

PM Modi said that he admires Bhutan for its unique model of sustainable development and the deeply spiritual way of life.

Also Read | Fire in Japan: Blaze Erupts in Eight-Story Building in Osaka, 27 People Feared Dead, Says Report.

"I admire Bhutan for its unique model of sustainable development and the deeply spiritual way of life. Successive Druk Gyalpos - Their Majesties the Kings - have given a unique identity to the Kingdom, and nurtured the special bond of neigbhourly friendship that our nations share," he said in another tweet.

"India will always cherish Bhutan as one of its closest friends and neighbours, and we will continue to support Bhutan's development journey in every possible way," he wrote on Twitter.

While conferring the award, Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck highlighted India's support to Bhutan under PM Modi's leadership over the years and particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)