16.6.14

NaMo hops to Thimpu


Prime Minister Narendra Modi kick-started his neighbourhood outreach on Sunday with a visit to the Himalayan country of Bhutan during which the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate for extensive development and discussed ways to further enhance economic ties.
The two-day visit is Modi's first abroad after taking over as PM. He was welcomed at Paro airport by his counterpart Tshering Tobgay . In his meeting with Tobgay , and also another one with Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Modi described the ties as B2B relations--Bharat to Bhutan relations.
Conscious of the row over India's decision last year to temporarily roll back subsidies on its LPG and kerosene supply to Bhutan, Modi went on a charm offensive, making full use of India's soft power and its historic ties. He offered more intensive cooperation in the hydropower sector, the mainstay of bilateral relations, and also more student scholarships.
Sources said Modi expressed satisfaction over India being considered a privileged partner of Bhutan and underlined that his government would not only nurture these strong bonds but also strengthen them. He said Bhutan will be a key priority for his government's foreign policy .
He emphasized on the possibilities of greater educational contacts and suggested doubling scholarships being provided to Bhutanese students.
India will now provide scholarships worth Rs.2 crore. PM Narendra Modi said on Sunday that India will also assist Bhutan set up a digital library which will provide Bhutanese youth access to two million books and periodicals.
The PM said educational links were important for strengthening people to people contacts. He also inaugurated the Supreme Court building which has been built with Indian assistance. On Monday , he will address a joint session of Bhutan's parliament.
The visit comes just ahead of another round of dialogue between Bhutan and China, which is said to be keen on establishing diplomatic ties with Thimpu. In his departure statement, Modi described Bhutan as a natural choice for his first visit abroad as the two countries shared a “special relationship“.
“Our hydropower cooperation with Bhutan is a classic example of win-win cooperation and a model for the entire region. During the visit, we will lay the foundation stone of the 600 mw Kholongchu hydropower project,“ he said.
“I will review with the Bhutanese leadership our development cooperation programme to make it even more effective and responsive to the changing aspirations of the people of Bhutan,“ he further said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday concluded his “extremely successful“ first foreign visit since assuming office with a message to Bhutan and other neighbouring countries that a strong and prosperous India was in their interest.
The upshot of the PM's twoday visit to the Land of the Thunder Dragon was a decision by the two countries to scale up their ties.
Bhutan promised not to allow its territory to be used against India, an assurance that comes against the backdrop of militants from northeast taking shelter there.
The two countries agreed to continue with their close coordination on issues relating to their national interests and not allow each other's territory to be used for interests inimical to the other, said a joint statement issued at the end of the visit.
Modi later tweeted, “This Bhutan trip will remain etched in my memory; it was a very satisfying & productive visit.“
External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, who accompanied Modi, described the visit as “extremely successful“ and that the Indian side was “extremely satisfied“ with it. Before winding up the visit, Modi gave an assurance that a change of government in Delhi would not af fect the ties of the two nations and past commitments would be fulfilled.

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