Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, visit to India and bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi has created a wave of speculations. The meet is significant in the amidst of growing tension by China forging bond with Thimphu, capital of Bhutan. The king is on visit to India from 3rd November to 10th November to discuss and upgrade the ambit of bilateral regional cooperation and global concerns of parallel interests.
The King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk holds talk with PM Narendra Modi and both the sides agreed on the final survey of 58km long cross border link between Gelephu and Kokrajhar in Assam. Also, new regional connection is discussed to establish through rail link between India and Bhutan from West Bengal to Bhutan. Easing travel between the two countries and allowing further exchanges to Bangladesh is expected to help raise Bhutanese opportunities for trade and travel, and bring in much needed tourism revenues for the neighboring country.
Background of India-Bhutan relationship
The diplomatic relationship between India and Bhutan dates back to 1968. Indo-Bhutan friendship treaty guides the diplomatic relationship between both the countries since signed in 1949. The treaty was later on revised in 2007. Prime Minister chose Bhutan as his first foreign destination in 2014. He also uplifted the idea of “B2B aka Bharat To Bhutan” for the renewal and fine establishment of bilateral relation.
Hydropower projects of Bhutan is a great example of positive cooperation for both the countries, where Bhutan exports surplus energy to India providing for safe and clean electricity to India. This generates revenue for Bhutan and strengthening our economic collaboration.