Page 3 - Bhutan

PM Narendra Modi leaves for India after fruitful two-day visit to Bhutan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday departed for India after a fruitful two-day visit to Bhutan where he assured the Himalayan nation of New Delhi's support in its quest for development and vowed to provide Rs 10,000 crore to the Himalayan nation over the next five years. On Saturday morning, Modi along with his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay inaugurated a modern hospital for women and children built with Indian assistance in Thimphu. In a special gesture, the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck as well as Prime Minister Tobgay were present at the Paro International Airport to see off Prime Minister Modi. "I am honoured by the special gesture by His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of coming to the airport as I leave for Delhi," Modi posted on X. "This has been a very special Bhutan visit. I had the opportunity to meet His Majesty the King, PM @tsheringtobgay and other distinguished people of Bhutan. Our talks will add even more vigo

PM Modi inaugurates modern hospital built with India's help in Bhutan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated a modern hospital built with Indian assistance in Bhutan's capital Thimphu. Modi was joined by his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay in inaugurating the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital in Thimphu a Bhutan-India friendship project dedicated to the people of the Himalayan kingdom. Modi, who arrived in Bhutan on Friday for a two-day State visit to further cement India's unique relations with the Himalayan nation, called on the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and held talks with Prime Minister Tobgay on Friday. Bhutan's King Wangchuck conferred the Order of the Druk Glyalpo' to Prime Minister Modi at a public ceremony here on Friday, making him the first foreign Head of the Government to receive the honour. The award recognises Prime Minister Modi's contribution to strengthening the India-Bhutan friendship and his people-centric leadership. "It is with great humility that I accept the Order of the

India, Bhutan ink several pacts, finalise MoU on establishment rail links

India and Bhutan on Friday exchanged several MoUs and signed agreements in the fields of energy, trade, digital connectivity, space and agriculture, and finalised the MoU on the establishment of rail links between the two nations. The MoUs were exchanged here in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay during the ongoing two-day State visit of Modi. Prime Minister Modi met his Bhutanese counterpart in Thimphu "over a working lunch hosted in his honour". He thanked Prime Minister Tobgay for the "exceptional public welcome accorded to him, with people greeting him all along the journey from Paro to Thimphu," India's Ministry of External Affairs said here in a statement. The two leaders held discussions on various aspects of the multi-faceted bilateral relations and "forged an understanding to further enhance cooperation in sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, youth exchange, environment and forestry, and tourism," it ...

Affinity between people of India, Bhutan makes bilateral ties unique: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the affinity between the people of India and Bhutan makes their bilateral relationship unique while emphasising that "Bharat" resides in people's hearts in this Himalayan nation. He said this in his address to a gathering here after receiving Bhutan's highest civilian award, the 'Order of the Druk Gyalpo', the first foreign Head of the Government to receive the honour. The honour was conferred on him by the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Modi said the successful endeavour of one country is cheered by the other. "The affinity between people of India and Bhutan makes our relationship unique," he said. In his address, he told the Bhutanese people that "India resides in your hearts". Prime Minister Modi on Friday arrived in Bhutan earlier in the day on a two-day State visit to further cement India's unique relations with the Himalayan nation as part of the country's 'Neighbourhood First' Policy.

Watch: PM Modi receives the highest civilian award in Bhutan

On his state visit to Bhutan, PM Narendra Modi received the country’s highest civilian award. The King of Bhutan Jigme, conferred Modi with the ‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo’.

PM Modi bestowed Bhutan's highest civilian award 'Order of the Druk Gyalpo'

Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck awarded the 'Order of the Druk Glyalpo' to Prime Minister Modi

Modi in Bhutan: PM calls on Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck here on Friday as he began his two-day State visit to the Himalayan nation. Modi was accorded a grand welcome before receiving an audience with the King. His State visit to Bhutan seeks to further cement India's unique relations with the Himalayan nation as part of the country's 'Neighbourhood First' Policy. Hours after his arrival earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi said he was grateful to the Bhutanese people for according to him a "memorable welcome" to their beautiful country and asserted that may India-Bhutan friendship "keep scaling new heights" "I am grateful to the people of Bhutan, especially the young children, for the memorable welcome to their beautiful country," Modi wrote in a post on 'X' and also shared pictures of him interacting with a cross-section of people of Bhutan. The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan and the .

PM Modi reaches Bhutan on 2-day state visit to further cement unique bond

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Friday on a two-day State visit to Bhutan to further cement India's unique relations with the Himalayan nation. "On the way to Bhutan, where I will be attending various programmes aimed at further cementing the India-Bhutan partnership. I look forward to talks with Majesty the King of Bhutan, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and Prime Minister @tsheringtobgay," the Prime Minister posted on X. The visit, scheduled between March 21 and 22, was postponed due to the inclement weather in Bhutan. The visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to "exchange views on bilateral and regional matters of interest and deliberate on ways to expand and intensify our exemplary partnership for the benefit of our peoples", the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement earlier this week. India and Bhutan share "a unique and enduring partnership which is rooted in mutual trust, understanding and goodwill", the statement emphasised. "Our

PM Modi's Bhutan visit postponed due to inclement weather there: MEA

PM Modi was scheduled to visit the Himalayan nation over two days--on March 21 and 22

Bhutan's journey success due to India's friendship, support: PM Tobgay

Bhutan has come a long way in its journey of balancing economic growth with environment protection and preservation of culture, and this journey has been by-and-large successful, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay said on Saturday. During his address at the India Conclave - 2024 in New Delhi, he said the journey has been successful due to the "friendship, goodwill and unconditional support of the government and the people of India". Tobgay emphasised on the metric of Gross National Happiness that his country introduced to measure prosperity and said nations and its people will have to imagine a more sustainable future in the 21st century. Bhutan has tried to balance its economic growth with social progress, cultural preservation, environment protection and good governance, he said. "Our kings have come a long way, Bhutan has come a long way, we have come a long way. And this journey, by-and-large, has been successful. And, I dare say, it has been successful due to the friendship, goodw

Bhutan PM urges Indian industries to invest in country's tourism sector

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay on Friday urged the Indian industry to explore business opportunities in the tourism sector in the neighbouring nation which has deep relations with India. Tobgay, who is on a five-day visit to India, made the remarks at 'India-Bhutan Tourism: Expanding Horizons' dialogue organised by industry body FICCI in the national capital. "I always wanted to meet ... captains of the industry and invite you to Bhutan. We have been blessed with excellent relation with India. India is our immediate neighbour. We want more and more Indians visiting Bhutan," he said addressing the gathering which included representatives of various sectors including travel and hospitality. On the opportunities in Bhutan, Tobgay said his country provides immense opportunities in the travel and tourism industry. The investors can come and set up hotels, restaurants, wellness centres in Bhutan of which 72 per cent is under forest cover. Travel for Indians is very easy as a ..

S Jaishankar meets Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay, highlights India-Bhutan bond

Earlier, Bhutanese PM Tobgay, who is on a five-day official visit to India, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence on Thursday

Bhutan PM Tobgay arrives in India for 1st overseas visit after election

He was received at the airport by Union Minister of State for Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Ashwini Choubey

Govt approves India-Bhutan pact on energy efficiency, conservation

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave ex post facto approval to an initial pact between India and Bhutan on cooperation in the field of energy efficiency and conservation measures. The MoU was signed between the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power, Government of India, and the Department of Energy, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Government of Bhutan, an official statement said. According to the statement, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Bhutan on extending cooperation in the field of Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation Measures. As part of the MoU, India aims to assist Bhutan to enhance energy efficiency in the household sector by promoting star labelling programme developed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), the statement said. India aims to support Bhutan in its endeavour to develop and implement the standards and labelling scheme, it ...

Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay to begin his 5-day visit to India on March 14

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay will pay a five-day visit to India beginning Thursday in his first foreign trip after assuming the top office in January. Tobgay will hold wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and call on President Droupadi Murmu, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, announcing the Bhutanese leader's visit from March 14 to 18. The Bhutanese leader is also scheduled to travel to Mumbai. "The visit of the prime minister of Bhutan will provide an opportunity to the two sides to review the progress in our unique partnership and to discuss ways and means to expand the enduring ties of friendship and cooperation between India and Bhutan," the MEA said in a statement. Tobgay will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including a number of his cabinet colleagues and top officials. "India and Bhutan enjoy exemplary ties of friendship and cooperation, based on trust, goodwill and mutual understanding at all levels," the MEA said. "During

Govt permits 4,750 tonnes of onion exports to Bhutan, Bahrain, Mauritius

The government on Wednesday permitted exports of 4,750 tonnes of onion to Bhutan, Bahrain, and Mauritius through the National Cooperative Exports Ltd (NCEL). The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in a notification said that while export of 550 tonnes of onion is permitted to Bhutan; 3,000 tonnes to Bahrain, and 1,200 tonnes to Mauritius. "Exports of onions" to these three countries "through NCEL is notified," it said. Last week, India allowed exports of 64,400 tonnes of onion to the UAE and Bangladesh. DGFT is an arm of the commerce ministry, which deals with norms related to imports and exports. Though onion exports are banned, shipments are allowed on the basis of permission granted by the government to other countries based on their request. On December 8 last year, the government banned exports of onion till March 31 this year with a view to increase domestic availability and to keep prices in check. To control prices, the government has earlier taken several steps

Foreign secy, new Bhutanese PM meet; discuss ways to boost bilateral ties

Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Monday called on Bhutan's new Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and discussed areas of mutual interest and multifaceted cooperation to further boost India's relations with the Himalayan nation. Kwatra arrived earlier here on a three-day trip, in the first high-level visit from India after the formation of a new government under People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader Tobgay. Kwatra called on Prime Minister Tobgay at the Prime Minister's Office in Gyalyong Tshogkhang. The meeting discussed various areas of mutual interest and cooperation between Bhutan and India, according to The Bhutanese newspaper. The Prime Minister also hosted a dinner for the Foreign Secretary and his delegation at his residence, it said in a post on X. Kwatra also held bilateral consultations with Foreign Secretary of Bhutan Aum Pema Choden. A wide ranging discussion on multifaceted cooperation between India and Bhutan in development partnership, space, energy, trade, ...

Indian envoy congratulates Tshering Tobgay for assuming charge as Bhutan PM

This was Bhutan's fourth general election since transitioning from a traditional monarchy to a parliamentary form of government 15 years back

Closely monitoring: Army Chief Gen Pande on Bhutan-China boundary talks

As Bhutan and China looked at an expeditious resolution of their festering boundary row, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pandey on Thursday said the development is being closely monitored. At a media briefing ahead of the Army Day, he said India has a unique bilateral relationship with Bhutan based on "utmost trust, goodwill and mutual understanding". "This relationship also transcends into the military domain as we have IMTRAT (Indian Military Training Team) right from the early 1960s. They are at the centre of our relationship," he said. Gen Pande was responding to a question on China and Bhutan making progress in their boundary talks and whether any possible resolution would have security implications for India. "Bhutan and we share mutual security concerns which both of us are aware of. The ongoing talks on the boundary which you alluded to, we are closely monitoring," he said. "We are interacting with our friends in Bhutan on a transparent and regular basis," the Army Chief said. He sa

Bhutan's People's Democratic Party wins election, returns to power

The People's Democratic Party won the most seats in Bhutan's parliamentary elections on Tuesday and will form the new government as residents hope politicians make good on promises to fix the economic crisis in the Himalayan nation. Latest figures from the Bhutan Broadcasting Service, a national broadcaster, showed the PDP had won 30 of the 47 National Assembly seats to return to power, and the Bhutan Tendrel Party had secured 17. It was the country's fourth general elections since its transformation from a traditional monarchy to a parliamentary form of government in 2008. The Election Commission of Bhutan will make its final declaration on Wednesday. Candidates on Tuesday's ballot represented only the PDP of former Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and the BTP led by former civil servant Pema Chewang. A primary round of voting in November eliminated three other parties, including the ruling center-left Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa party. Bhutan is located between China and India, with both