Army Chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag in Bhutan

THIMPHU: On his first international visit after taking charge, Army Chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag today met senior Bhutanese officials and discussed issues of mutual interests.

Singh's three-day visit to Bhutan comes amid Narendra Modi government's endeavour to strengthen ties with neighbouring countries.

The Prime Minister too had chosen Bhutan as the destination of his first foreign visit.

Continuing with the high-level engagements, President Pranab Mukherjee will travel to the country next week.

Official sources said the Army Chief, who had arrived here yesterday "on a routine" visit met senior officials and discussed issues of mutual interests.

Indian and Bhutanese armies share a special relationship with their chiefs treated as honorary generals of the other army.

This is the first international visit by the Army Chief after taking charge on July 31, and it underpins India's priorities in maintaining friendly, peaceful and cordial ties with immediate neighbours, an official statement said.

Apart from Bhutan, Gen Suhag will be visiting Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka in the next couple of months, sources said in New Delhi.

They said the priority is to first visit the friendly neighbouring countries.