Guwahati-Singapore Drukair flight to take off on Sept 1

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan would receive a boost with the launch of new flight by Drukair - Royal Bhutan Airlines connecting Guwahati with Singapore.

Sonowal said this while taking part at the ceremonial launch in Guwahati today of this new international service whose inaugural flight between Guwahati and Singapore will take off on September one next from LGBI Airport, Guwahati.

He said that the initiative would not only facilitate trade and people to people contact among Bhutan, Assam and Singapore but also contribute towards strengthening social, cultural and economic ties.

Terming the initiative as historic, Sonowal expressed his deep appreciation to the Royal Government of Bhutan and Drukair - Royal Bhutan Airlines for the endeavour to connect Guwahati directly with Singapore.

Extolling the deep rooted relationship between India and Bhutan, the chief minister said that the new initiative in aviation sector would give a major fillip to diplomatic relations between the two nations.

He said that the linkages between the two countries have deep historical and civilization roots, going back to several centuries.

"Bhutan has always been our most exotic and resourceful neighbour with its unique and vibrant ethnicity and is known for promoting peace and human values," he said.

Stating that Union Governments Act East Policy has turned the entire North Eastern region into the centre of New Indias growth vision and implementation, Sonowal observed that Bhutan should also take full advantage of this policy enunciated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for greater economic empowerment.