Page 4 - Bhutan

Voters begin casting ballots in Bhutan, where economic crisis looms large

Voters in Bhutan, a landlocked country in the eastern Himalayan mountain range with a population of around 800,000 people, began casting their ballots Tuesday to elect a new Parliament, hoping the politicians make good on their promises to fix the nation's economic crisis. Some voters are expected to trek in freezing temperatures to reach the polls to elect a set of 47 parliamentarians who will form the next government. Results are likely to be announced later in the night. The national elections are the fourth in Bhutan after it saw a transformation from a traditional monarchy to a parliamentary form of government in 2008. Ballots include only the People's Democratic Party of former Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, and the Bhutan Tendrel Party headed by former civil servant Pema Chewang. A primary round of voting in November eliminated three other parties. Bhutan lies sandwiched between China and India, with both neighbours vying for influence in the country. Bhutan's severe econom

Bhutan unveils Gelephu City project extending from India to SouthEast Asia

"We are in a unique position to reap great benefits if we seize the opportunity, make good plans, and work together diligently," said the Bhutanese King in his address

Bhutan votes in preliminary round of elections, results likely on Friday

Nearly half a million of the country's fewer than 800,000 people are eligible to vote for the five political parties that are in the fray

EAM meets Wangchuk, affirms India's support for Bhutan's sustainable growth

The Bhutan King's visit to India would foster the close bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, Ministry of External Affaira (MEA) said

Bhutan King arrives in Delhi; scheduled to meet PM Modi, EAM Jaishankar

Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck arrived here on Sunday to a red carpet welcome with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar receiving him at the airport, reflecting the importance India has attached to the trip. Wangchuck's high-profile trip to India comes amid renewed push by Bhutan and China for an early settlement of their decades-old boundary dispute. New Delhi has been keeping a close eye on the negotiations between Bhutan and China on their boundary row as it could have implications for India's security interests, especially in the Doklam tri-junction. Wangchuck began his eight-day visit to India from Guwahati on November 3. "His Majesty the King of Bhutan warmly received by EAM @DrSJaishankar upon his arrival in New Delhi. His Majesty is on an official visit to India," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on 'X'. "The visit will further strengthen close bonds of friendship and cooperation with a valued partner," he said. The King of Bhutan i

Bhutan King begins 3-day visit to Assam, offers prayer at Kamakhya Temple

Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk on Friday began his maiden three-day tour to Assam with a visit to the famed Kamakhya Temple atop the Nilachal Hills in Guwahati. Earlier in the day, the 43-year-old king of the neighbouring Himalayan country arrived at the Lokpriya Gopinath International Airport here and was received by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, his cabinet colleagues and state government officials. Sarma welcomed the king with the traditional Assamese 'Gamosa' (hand towel). The royal visitor greeted the chief minister and his cabinet colleagues with folded hands. From the airport, the king went to the Kamakhya Temple where he was received by priests, Assam Tourism Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah, senior officials of the state and the Kamrup Metro district administration. The king, draped with a traditional Buddhist yellow robe, prayed at the 'garbhagriha' (sanctum sanctorum) and did 'parikrama' (circumambulation) of the temple, besides lighting earthen lamps in ..

China prods Bhutan to establish diplomatic ties and settle border issues

China has asked Bhutan to establish diplomatic ties with it and resolve the boundary issue as soon as possible to transform the relations between the two neighbours into legal form. Bhutanese Foreign Minister Dr Tandi Dorji who is currently visiting Beijing to take part in the boundary talks between the two countries met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday during which Wang said restoration of diplomatic ties will serve the long-term interests of both countries, a Foreign Ministry press release here said. The conclusion of boundary negotiations and the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Bhutan fully serve the long-term and fundamental interests of the country and nation of Bhutan," Wang said. China is ready to work with Bhutan in the same direction, seize the historic opportunity, complete this important process as soon as possible, and fix and develop China-Bhutan friendly relations in legal form," Wang, also a member of the powerful Political Bureau of

Bhutan gearing up to import electricity from India for extended period

Bhutan is gearing up to import electricity from India for an extended period of approximately five months from December this year to April next year, The Bhutan Live reported

India-Bhutan first international train service turning into reality

The railway project can act as a breakthrough in terms of facilitating the export of goods, enabling cultural exchange, and strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations

India allots rice export quotas to Bhutan, Singapore, and Mauritius

Last month, India surprised buyers by imposing a ban on exports of widely consumed non-basmati white rice, following a ban on broken rice exports last year

India trails Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh on internet resilience: Report

India trails neighbours like Bhutan, Bangladesh and even Nepal on internet resilience, a report by a global non-profit said on Tuesday. A resilient internet connection is one that maintains an acceptable level of service in the face of faults and challenges to normal operation, the Internet Society said, adding connectivity is essential for a country's economy. India achieved an overall score of 43 per cent and is ranked sixth in South Asia behind Bhutan (58 per cent), Bangladesh (51 per cent), Maldives (50 per cent), Sri Lanka (47 per cent) and Nepal (43 per cent), the report said. However, the country is ranked ahead of Pakistan, the report, which looked at infrastructure, performance, security, and market readiness, said. India's security is ranked above average, attributed to having the highest IPv6 (the newest Internet Protocol to accommodate growing networks) adoption in the world. Market readiness - the ability of India's Internet market to self-regulate and provide ...

DGTF invites applications for allocation of wheat quota exports to Bhutan

The government has invited applications from exporters to allocate quota for exports of wheat to Bhutan during 2023-24 on humanitarian and food security grounds. In a trade notice, the DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) has laid out a detailed procedure for allocation of quota for export of wheat, 'atta' and 'maida' on humanitarian and food security grounds, based on requests received from Bhutan. It said the government has approved export of 14,184 tonne of wheat grain; 5,326 tonne of wheat flour (atta); 15,226 tonne of maida to Bhutan in 2023-24. "Accordingly, applications are invited from exporters for allocation of quota," it said. As per the procedure, the minimum threshold for these products will be 100 tonne by land transport to the neighbouring country. "Application would be allowed only if the exporter applies for quantity more than the minimum threshold," it said. In a separate notification, DGFT said it has banned exports of de-oiled rice bran till November 30

Bhutan's Foreign Secy calls for Delhi's support for Thimphu's development

Kwatra discussed with her the ways to further strengthen the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation, informed the Ministry of External Affairs

Foreign Secy Kwatra holds talk with visiting Bhutanese counterpart Choden

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra held wide-ranging talks with his visiting Bhutanese counterpart Aum Pema Choden on Saturday and conveyed India's commitment to partner with Bhutan based on the priorities of the Himalayan nation. The top Bhutanese diplomat paid an official visit to India from July 28 to 29, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday. "The two foreign secretaries reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation, and discussed ways to further strengthen it across diverse sectors," it said in a statement. Both foreign secretaries co-chaired the India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks. The MEA said the visit of the Bhutanese foreign secretary reinforced the "long-standing tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries to discuss all issues of mutual interest". It said the Bhutanese side shared details regarding Bhutan's 13th Five Year Plan during the talks. "Foreign Secretary Kwatra conveyed India's commitment to partner with Bh

RuPay cards cross 10,000 milestone in Bhutan, 265,994 ATMs accept the cards

RuPay cards crossed the 10,000 mark in Bhutan. BHNL RuPay debit cards are widely accepted in more than 265,994 ATMs and 7.9 million PoS terminals to withdraw cash, balance inquiries and make payment

N Bengal floods due to Bhutan rivers, centre should have noticed: Minister

The region had received heavy rainfall, resulting in swollen rivers, disrupted roads and huge damage of property recently

Punjab National Bank infuses Rs 72.83 crore in its Bhutan subsidiary

State-owned Punjab National Bank on Friday said it has infused Rs 72.82 crore in its Bhutan subsidiary Druk PNB Bank Ltd via a rights issue. The investment in Rights Issue has been made on July 7, 2023 through participation in the issue of Druk PNB Bank Ltd (DPNBL), PNB said in a regulatory filing. Following the rights issue, PNB retains 51 per cent in the subsidiary as of now. DPNBL was incorporated on December 31, 2008, with FDI participation, it said. The rights issue of DPNBL of Bhutan was at a premium of Rs 7 (face value of Rs 10) -- Rs 17 per share, the filing said.

India permits potato imports from Bhutan without any license till Jun 2024

Earlier, it was allowed till June 30 this year

SAFF Championship: Lebanon crush Bhutan, move closer to the semi-finals

Lebanon moved closer to the semifinals of the SAFF Championship with a commanding 4-1 victory over Bhutan at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Saturday. Lebanon came to the match as the favourites and they underscored that status with chilling authority, slamming in four goals in the first half itself. With six points and a match to go against Maldives on June 28, Lebanon are on top of Group B and that much nearer to a last-four berth. Bangladesh and Maldives have three points apiece and they are also in the race to enter the semifinals. With two defeats from as many matches Bhutan are out of contention. On a night when the skies opened up with vengeance, Lebanon went ahead as early as in the 11th minute through Mohamad Sadek. Ali Al Haj swelled the scoreline to 2-0 in the 23rd minute, beating a diving Bhutan goalkeeper T Dendup with a sweet first-touch shot from inside the box. Lebanon seemed to have perfectly understood the group equations as they pressed on for more goals and

Incessant rainfall in Bhutan linked to Assam floods, say Officials

ASDMA said on Tuesday that the incessant rainfall in the upper catchment area of the neighbouring country is also responsible for the surge in Brahmaputra