Bhutanese break their custom, clap for Modi

Clapping is done to ward off evil spirits and not as a welcome gesture

• Strong and prosperous India can help neighbours: Modi
• Visit extremely successful, entirely satisfying: Sushma

New Delhi/Thimphu: Bhutanese MPs deviated from the custom of not clapping when they broke into an applause after Prime Minister Narendra Modi ended his extempore address in Hindi to a joint sitting of the Parliament here.

In Bhutan, clapping is done to ward off evil spirits and not as a welcome gesture.

The gathering, which included Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and members of the National Assembly and the National Council, broke into an applause as Modi ended his address to the joint session.

On his return to India, Modi said his trip will remain etched in my memory; It was a very satisfying and productive visit.

Earlier, India and Bhutan decided to scale up their bilateral relations with Modi asserting that a "strong" and "prosperous" India can help smaller countries in the region.

Concluding his two-day visit to the Himalayan Kingdom, Modi gave an assurance that a change of government in Delhi will not affect their ties and past commitments will be fulfilled.

Thimphu, on its part, promised not to allow its territory to be used against India, an assurance that comes against the backdrop of militants from northeast taking shelter there.

Modi committed double faux pas in his address to the Bhutan Parliament, where he said "Nepal" while praising the royal family. Modi also said "Ladakh" when he actually was to refer to Bhutan. "This visit has been extremely successful and entirely satisfying. It has reinforced and .further strengthened Indo-Bhutan ties," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said. Swaraj said India was "deeply, deeply" moved by the hospitality extended to and the love and affection showered on Modi with the king "personally supervising all arrangements".