Modi's Visit to Bhutan: Fostering Bond Beyond Boundaries

BANGALORE: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bhutan on June 15^th 2014. PM announced his new government’s foreign policy with the Himalayan kingdom as B2B (Bharat to Bhutan) ties. Modi appraised Bhutan as an idyllic country and expressed his contentment that India is privileged to be a partner of Bhutan. He stressed to not only foster their bond, but also strengthen their future relations.

The primary intention of the meet was to enhance the economic relations and to develop cooperation between the two countries. PM ensured greater economic ties and responsive Indian financial assistance to Bhutan. Modi intended to double the scholarship of Bhutanese students in India, moreover he insisted on setting up a digital library of two million books and periodicals in Bhutan, said the sources.

Modi inaugurated the Supreme Court building in Hejo, which was constructed with India’s financial assistance. Collaboration was provided to Bhutan in terms of peace, development, security and tourism to nurture bilateral ties between them. Modi narrated in his speech at banquet hosted by Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay that India and Bhutan are “made for each other” as they have shared a glorious traditional relation all these years.

“I said a while back B for B (Bharat for Bhutan and Bhutan for Bharat), I said it just like that but later I realized that it must be a sign from god that I said this,” Modi said. He acclaimed Bhutan’s take on Gross National Happiness (GNH) rather than Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a nation’s protective measure to improve its prosperity.

Before he flew to Thimphu, PM was welcomed by hundreds of children on his way exhilarated on his incoming waving flags of the two nations. He was welcomed at the Paro airport by the Prime Minister Tobgay and was greeted by draping a khada around his neck-Bhutanese traditional style of welcoming guests. He was escorted in rigid security to the capital city. Different welcome arches were set with cutouts of Modi and Tobgay visualized a festival–like atmosphere. PM was accompanied by Sushma Swaraj-External Affairs Minister, Ajit Doval-National Security Advisor and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh.

Modi was enraptured by the warm welcome in the banquet and said, "The color of our passports may be different but our thinking is the same India stands committed to Bhutan's happiness and progress." “India is committed to continuing our unstinted support to Bhutan in its development efforts. I will review with the Bhutanese leadership our development cooperation programme to make it even more effective and responsive to the changing aspirations of the people of Bhutan," added Modi.

He laid stress on India’s involvement in the projects like establishment of schools, libraries, drinking water projects and community centres in Bhutan-a prominent neighbor of 750,000 peace-oriented people. India had assisted a package worth 4,500 crore for its 11^th five year plan from 2013-2018. Several Hydro projects are to be installed in Bhutan that will benefit both the countries, as Bhutan will generate more export revenues whereas India will get clean and low cost electricity-as per a Bhutanese daily it is “A perfect Treat for both the countries.”

Furthermore, Modi invited the former king Jigme Singye Wangchuck with whom India has maintained close friendship, for the joint sitting of the third session of Parliament of Bhutan where he revealed the base of 600 MW Kholungchu hydropower project, a joint venture between Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam and Druk Green Power Corporation. Construction would start later this year. The Bhutan king then organized a lunch in the esteem of Indian Prime Minister and his Ministry members before they departed from Thimphu.