THIMPHU: Seeking to push further the relationship with Bhutan, India today announced a number of measures and concessions including the exemption of Bhutan from any ban on export of milk powder, wheat, edible oil, pulses and non-basmati rice.
The two sides also reaffirmed their commitment to their cooperative partnership and agreed to further promote trade and investment.
In a joint statement issued at the end of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to that country, the two sides also noted that security was of mutual interest and “agreed not to allow each other’s territory to be used for interests inimical to the other.”
The two sides recalled the free trade arrangement between them and the expanding bilateral trade and its importance in further cementing their friendship.
India conveyed its decision to exempt Bhutan from any ban or quantitative restrictions on export of milk powder, wheat, edible oil, pulses and non-basmati rice.
On the issue of security, the two countries agreed to continue with their close coordination and cooperation on issues relating to their national interest and not allow each other’s territory to be used for interests inimical to the other.
The two sides expressed satisfaction at the excellent state of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen their special friendship.
Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay conveyed his appreciation to the government and people of India for the generous development assistance since the 1st Five Year Plan in 1961. .
“The two leaders expressed satisfaction over the all- round socio-economic development achieved by Bhutan with the assistance and support of India.
Prime Minister Tobgay thanked India for the allocation of Rs 45 billion for the 11th Five Year Plan and Rs 5 billion for the economic stimulus plan of the Royal Government of Bhutan,” the joint statement said.
Modi expressed satisfaction at India being a privileged partner of Bhutan in its socio-economic development and reassured his Bhutanese counterpart of his government’s continued commitment to capacity building, especially in the education and IT sectors in the Himalayan nation.
Reiterating their commitment to produce 10,000 MW of power, the two sides acknowledged the importance of cooperation and mutual benefit arising from the hydro power sector and expressed satisfaction on the progress being made.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the completion of the Supreme Court building and the imminent commencement of the construction of the Kholongchhu Hydro-electric Project.
“They noted the tremendous benefits the Kholongchhu Project would bring to the people of Eastern Bhutan,” the statement said.
Seeking to enhance stress on capacity building and education, Prime Minister Modi announced the “doubling of the Nehru-Wangchuck scholarship to Rs 20 million per year.”
India would also provide a grant assistance for the establishment of the digital section or e-library in the National Library and in all the 20 districts of Bhutan. -PTI
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