Time to boost India-Bhutan bilateral ties, says Sushma
As India and Bhutan celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations this year, external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said on Wednesday that it is an opportunity to reflect on advancing the ties between the two sides.
“The year 2018 is a milestone moment for India-Bhutan partnership as we celebrate the accomplishments of the last five decades of our time-tested and special ties,” Sushma Swaraj said at a function here to mark the occasion.
“It is also an opportunity for us to reflect on how well we could advance this unique partnership to respond to hopes and aspirations of our people for our common prosperity and a better future,” she said at the event which was also attended by Bhutanese foreign minister Lyonpo Damcho Dorji.
She said that India was proud of the special and exemplary ties of friendship and cooperation that it shared with Bhutan, “which are built on shared values and aspirations, utmost trust and mutual respect”.
“It is a unique partnership built on the historical and cultural linkages between the two .”
The minister also welcomed the opening of a Consulate of Bhutan in Guwahati in the golden jubilee year, and said this would further strengthen contacts and cooperation, for the mutual benefit of both the countries.
With Wednesday also happening to be the birthday of King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Sushma Swaraj extended India’s warmest greetings to the King and wished him “good health, happiness and continued success in his pursuit of peace and prosperity for the friendly people” of Bhutan.
“Under the leadership of His Majesty the King of Bhutan, the last 12 years have seen Bhutan mature as a democracy and realise all round development,” she said. “What is more remarkable is that Bhutan has achieved its socio-economic transformation while preserving its natural heritage and cultural values.”
There are a number of institutional mechanisms between India and Bhutan in areas such as security, border management, trade, transit, economic, hydropower, development cooperation and water resources.
India has set up three hydroelectric projects (HEPs) in Bhutan totalling 1,416 MW, which are operational and exporting surplus power to India.
India is Bhutan’s largest trading partner. In 2016, bilateral trade stood at ₹8,723 crore with total imports being ₹5,528.5 crore (82 % of Bhutan’s total imports) and exports recorded at ₹3,205.2 crore (90% of Bhutan’s exports).
NEW DELHI: It is an opportunity for us to reflect on how well we could advance this (IndiaBhutan) partnership to respond to hopes and aspirations of our people for our common prosperity and a better future.
SUSHMA SWARAJ , foreign minister