Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay and his delegation concluded the three-day official visit to India and returned on July 7.

Lyonchhen said that the visit was ‘very fruitful’ and the talks with Indian leaders on a wide range of issues were positive.

“I’m fully satisfied with the outcome of the visit,” Lyonchhen said.

While in India, Lyonchhen called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian President Ram Nath Kovind. He also met the foreign minister Shushma Swaraj, and ministers for Finance and Railways, and Power.

On the final day, Lyonchhen met the president of the Indian National Congress Rahul Gandhi.

Some of the outcomes from the visit were India’s reassurance that it will continue to support Bhutan’s socioeconomic development in the 12th Plan, continued cooperation in hydropower sector, and the assurance that a fair or mutually agreed power tariff for the 720-mega watt Mangdechhu hydropower project, among others.

The meetings between Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay and the Indian leaders were held in a warm and friendly atmosphere, reflecting the spirit of trust, cooperation and understanding that characterize the special and mutually beneficial nature of the relations between the two countries,  a press release from the foreign ministry stated.

Lyonchhen’s official visit was to thank the government and people of India for their support for the 11th Plan.

The visit was undertaken as one of the important exchange of visits as a part of the ongoing golden jubilee celebrations on the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Bhutan towards the end of this year.

As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of diplomatic relations between the two countries India will host a Bhutan Week from September 23.

Lyonchhen’s delegation included the minister and secretary of finance, GNHC secretary, foreign secretary, economic affairs secretary, DGPC managing director, Bhutan’s ambassador to India and other senior officials.

Tshering Palden

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