Marking the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan, the Prime Minister of Bhutan, H.E. DashoTshering Tobgay is visiting India from 5-7 July, 2018, at the invitation of the Prime Minister of India Shri
Narendra Modi. He is accompanied by Lyonpo Namgay Dorji, Minister of Finance and senior officials of the Royal Government of Bhutan.
On 6 July, Prime Minister of Bhutan called on the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind and had a bilateral meeting with PM Modi, who also hosted a lunch in honour of the visiting dignitary. External Affairs Minister Smt Sushma Swaraj, Minister of State
(Independent Charge) for Power, New and Renewable Energy, Shri Raj Kumar Singh and the National Security Adviser called on PM Tobgay.
The two Prime Ministers held discussions on a range of bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest. Recalling the unique bonds of friendship and historical ties, they expressed satisfaction at the excellent state of bilateral relations.
PM Modi complimented the people and the Royal Government of Bhutan on its imminent graduation to a middle income country, and for achieving economic progress while preserving its traditions and values, and combining sustainable development with enhanced happiness
quotient of its people.
PM Tobgay thanked the Government of India for its invaluable support and partnership for Bhutan’s socio-economic development. PM Modi conveyed that India deeply values its development partnership with Bhutan. PM Modi reaffirmed that, as a friend and close neighbour,
India will continue to partner with Bhutan in pursuit of its development goals, which is based on the priorities of its people.
The two Prime Ministers reviewed the bilateral economic and hydro-power co-operation, including the progress in implementation of the on-going GoI-assisted-hydro-electric projects in Bhutan. They agreed that the robust partnership in the hydro-power sector
was mutually beneficial. They reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen collaboration in the hydro-power sector in the spirit of close friendship and co-operation that characterize relations between India and Bhutan.
Both the leaders expressed happiness that the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries is being commemorated with the full involvement and participation of the two peoples, which reflects the essence of the
special bilateral ties. In this context, PM Modi recalled the vision and guidance of the Druk Gyalpos of Bhutan and successive political leadership in India and Bhutan in nurturing and enhancing friendship and cooperative ties. The people and the Government
of India look forward to the State visit of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan to India.
The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen and enhance co-operation in all areas of mutual interest, and to take the exemplary bilateral partnership to new heights for the benefit of the two peoples.
The meetings were held in a very warm and cordial atmosphere, reflecting the spirit of utmost trust and mutual understanding that characterize the exceptionally friendly ties between the two countries.
PM Tobgay thanked the people and Government of India for their gracious hospitality. The visit of PM Tobgay in the Golden Jubilee year marks an important milestone in the close collaborative partnership between India and Bhutan and has further strengthened
the enduring friendship between the two peoples.
New Delhi
July 06, 2018