Modi holds talks with Bhutanese counterpart as 2 countries sign 10 MoUs

#Honour for India to be part of Bhutan’s development: Modi

18/08/2019

THIMPHU, Aug 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bhutanese counterpart Lotay Tshering held wide ranging talks on Saturday during which they discussed steps to further expand the bilateral partnership across several sectors as the two countries inked 10 MoUs to infuse new energy in their ties.
"We had a comprehensive meeting, where we deliberated on the relations between India and Bhutan. There is great scope to further improve economic and cultural ties between our nations," Prime Minister Modi said.
Modi, who is here on his second visit to Bhutan and the first since his re-election in May this year, inaugurated 740 MW Mangdechhu hydroelectric power plant and also launched stamps to commemorate five decades of India-Bhutan Hydropower cooperation.
"I am very happy to come to Bhutan at the beginning of my second term," Modi said in a joint press statement after delegation-level talks with his Bhutanese counterpart at the historic Simtokha Dzong. The two countries signed 10 Memorandum of Understandings in the field of space research, aviation, IT, power and education.
"The relations between India and Bhutan are based on the common interests of progress, prosperity and security of the people of both countries," Modi said as he described Bhutan as "special friend" of India.
"Today we have achieved another historic milestone of this journey with the inauguration of the Mangdechhu project. With the cooperation of both countries, hydro-power generation capacity in Bhutan has crossed 2000 MW. I am confident that we will also take other projects forward very fast," he said.
Modi also launched RuPay Card in Bhutan by making a purchase at Simtokha Dzong, built in 1629 by Shabdrung Namgyal, which functions as a monastic and administrative centre and is one of the oldest dzongs in Bhutan.
"I am very happy that today we have launched RuPay card in Bhutan. This will further enhance our relationship in digital payments, and trade and tourism. Our shared spiritual heritage and strong people-to-people relationship are key of our relations," Prime Minister Modi said.
On increasing the currency swap limit for Bhutan under the SAARC currency swap framework, Modi said India's approach is "positive". He said an additional USD 100 million will be available to Bhutan under a standby swap arrangement to meet the foreign exchange requirement.
The two leaders also unveiled e-plaque of the interconnection between India's National Knowledge Network and Bhutan's Druk Research and Education Network.
"It is a privilege for India to be a major partner in the development of Bhutan. India's cooperation in Bhutan's five-year plans will continue," Modi said.
The two leaders jointly inaugurated the Ground Earth Station and SATCOM network, developed with assistance from ISRO for utilization of South Asia Satellite in Bhutan.
Modi said India is committed to accelerate the development of Bhutan using space technology. India will enhance the communication, public broadcasting and disaster management coverage in Bhutan, he said.
He also announced to increase the supply of LPG from India from 700 to 1000 MT per month to meet the growing needs of the people of Bhutan.
The Prime Minister said India will extend all possible help in realisingTshering's dream of multi-disciplinary super-specialty hospital in Bhutan.
Modi said the collaboration and relationship between Royal Bhutan University and IITs of India and some other top educational institutions are in line with today's requirements for education and technology.
"I believe that India and Bhutan will remain a unique model of relations between two countries in the world," he said. On his part, Prime Minister Tshering said India and Bhutan may vary in size but their beliefs, values and motivation are common.
"On his (Modi) first visit to Bhutan, I remember him saying that Bhutan and India are close not because we have open borders, but because we have opened our hearts to each other. Your visit this time shows how much you meant it," he said. Modi also planted a sapling at SimtokhaDzong.
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi inspected a guard of honour during his ceremonial welcome at Tashichhodzong Palace, where he exchanged views with Bhutanese King JigmeKhesarNamgyelWangchuck on taking the "exemplary" India-Bhutan partnership forward.
A traditional Chipdrel procession and welcome ceremony was held for Prime Minister Modi before his audience with the King. The ceremony symbolises the purification of path along which the guests are led.
Prime Minister Modi also received a red-carpet welcome at the Paro airport where he was received by the Bhutanese prime minister.
"I am extremely grateful to @PMBhutan for welcoming me at the airport. His gesture is deeply touching," Modi tweeted.
"A memorable welcome in Bhutan! This is a land blessed with natural beauty and wonderful people. There is immense enthusiasm here and the people of Bhutan want to see the India-Bhutan friendship scale newer heights of success," the prime minister said.
Waving the Indian tricolour and the Bhutanese flags, people lined up along the route from Paro to the capital city Thimphu to welcome Prime Minister Modi, who is in Bhutan on a two-day visit.
Prime Minister Modi will also address young Bhutanese students at the prestigious Royal University of Bhutan on Sunday. Prime Minister NarendraModi on Saturday said it is an honour for India to be part of the development process of Bhutan and expressed confidence that the two countries will continue to be "a unique model of bilateral ties" in the world.
In a joint press statement along with his Bhutanese counterpart DrLotayTshering, Modi announced a slew of measures to boost ties between the two countries including an increase in the supply of LPG to the Himalayan nation. He said India will continue to extend cooperation to Bhutan in its five-year plans according to the needs of the Himalayan nation.
"Who will not want a friend and a neighbour like Bhutan? It is an honour for us that India is a part of the development of Bhutan," he said.
Modi said that the joint spiritual legacy and strong people-to-people ties were the key strength of mutual ties.
"The way our relationship has a proud history, the future is equally bright. I have full faith that the relationship between the two countries will continue to be a unique model in the world," he said.
Referring to the launch of RuPay card in Bhutan, he said it will help boost digital payment and boost ties in trade and tourism.
"Under the SAARC currency swap framework, our attitude is positive to increase Bhutan's share. To fulfill the need of foreign exchange, an additional US dollar 100 million will be available to Bhutan under stand-by swap arrangement," he said.
Modi had also visited Bhutan at the beginning of his new term reflecting the high importance that India attaches to its relations with the Himalayan nation who has been a "trusted friend".
"Bhutan has a special place in the hearts of 130 crore Indians. I am very happy that I have come to Bhutan soon after the beginning of my second term," he said.
He said that the cooperation between Royal Bhutan University and IITs and some other educational institutions was in tune with the demands in the field of education and technology.
"I am looking forward to meeting bright students of Royal Bhutan University tomorrow," he said.
He said India has decided to increase the supply of LPG from 700 to 1000 metric tonne per month to fulfill the growing need of common people of Bhutan. "It will help clean fuel reach villages," he said.
The Prime Minister said India is committed to accelerating development in Bhutan using space technology.
"We inaugurated the earth station of South Asia Satellite. This will increase coverage of communication, public broadcasting and disaster management in Bhutan," he said. (ANI)

Photo Gallery

BSE Sensex

NSE Nifty