Bhutan welcomes Rs 100 bn Indian assistance

Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley said his government was "surprised and very happy with this astronomical sum", and will spend it in developing hydropower, a railway line to West Bengal and 10th Plan programmes, among other projects.

It would cover the government's two project-tied assistance programmes, planned for the five-year period as also those under the 10th Plan and the DPT (the ruling party) manifesto, enabling the government to fulfil the expectations of the people, he said.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his recent visit to the Himalayan country had announced the assistance for the next five years of Bhutan's development.

Secretary for Economic Affairs Sonam Tshering said that India's commitment would give Bhutan more avenues to open new projects.

Bhutanese officials hope to update the 10th Five Year Plan and to break-up the assistance into general developmental activities, specific project tied grants, and mega project financing.

According to the foreign ministry, the Indian government has already been requested for a discussion on the new developments.

"The Indian delegation promised to work out mutually convenient dates to discuss the Nu 100 billion package," said a ministry official.

Meanwhile, the Gross National Happiness Commission has communicated to the foreign ministry and the Bhutanese Embassy in Delhi that it is ready for talks at any time.