India, Nov. 14 -- The former King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck - revered as K4, the Fourth Druk Gyalpo - turned 70 on November 11. In Bhutan, the Bodhisattva King, as he is fondly known, is remembered not merely as a monarch but as a visionary who transformed a secluded Himalayan kingdom into a modern, democratic, and contented nation. His reign from 1972 to 2006 marked an era of wisdom, self-reliance, and reform, blending tradition with progress in a way few leaders in history have achieved.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Thimphu to join the celebrations was far more than a ceremonial gesture. It was an affirmation of a relationship that has stood as a beacon of stability in a region marked by shifting loyalties and power ...