Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck focusing on ways to bolster bilateral engagement in a range of areas including economic cooperation.
The King began his two-day visit to India on Monday amid some concerns in New Delhi over China’s attempts to expand influence over Thimphu.
In the meeting between the PM and the King of Bhutan, it was agreed that India would step up its support for Bhutan’s upcoming 13th five-year plan. India will work to extend an additional standby credit facility. We will work to shape long-term sustainable arrangements for export of agricultural commodities from Bhutan. Also work to develop long-term bilateral arrangements for assured supply of critical commodities like petroleum, coal, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra told at a media briefing
Certain remarks by Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering on the Doklam tri-junction were seen by many as the Himalayan nation cosying up to Beijing though Bhutan maintained that there is no change in its stance on the border dispute.
It is learnt that the talks between PM Modi and King Wangchuck were focused on ways to expand bilateral ties.
The Bhutanese King was received at the Delhi airport by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in a special gesture reflecting the importance New Delhi has attached to the visit.
On Monday evening, Jaishankar called on the visiting dignitary and said the King’s vision for Bhutan’s future and for strengthening the unique partnership with India is deeply appreciated.
Bhutan is a strategically important country for India and the defence and security ties between the two sides have witnessed significant expansion in the last few years.
The strategic ties witnessed an upward trajectory in the last few years in the backdrop of a 73-day face-off between Indian and Chinese troops in Doklam tri-junction in 2017.
