Staff Reporter

Foreign minister Dr Tandi Dorji visited India at the invitation of India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar (PhD). The week-long visit ended on November 23. 

The two ministers discussed the entire range of Bhutan-India relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the special friendship that exists between the two countries, a press release from the foreign ministry stated.

They reviewed the progress of cooperation in Bhutan’s 12th Plan and cooperation in other areas, including hydropower development, establishment of the multi-disciplinary super-specialty hospital and enhancing connectivity through railway links.

Lyonpo briefed the Indian foreign minister about Bhutan’s plans to implement a revised tourism policy, particularly in regard to regional tourism, and sought the government of India’s understanding and support in its implementation.

Lyonpo also met Home Minister Amit Shah, and Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale.

Lyonpo also visited Bodh Gaya, Rajgir and Kolkata. He visited the Bhutanese monastery in Bodh Gaya and the site of the ongoing construction of the Bhutanese temple in Rajgir. He also met with the Bhutanese students studying at the Nalanda University in Rajgir. In Kolkata, Lyonpo met with West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar, West Bengal Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha, and General Secretary of the Asiatic Society SB Chakrabarti.

This was Lyonpo’s first bilateral visit to India. The visit was in keeping with the well-established tradition of regular exchange of high-level visits between Bhutan and India. It helped further strengthen the friendship, trust, understanding and mutual respect that exist between the two countries.