G20 podium
Team Blitz India
NEW DELHI: King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national Capital on November 6, a fortnight after Bhutan and China signed an agreement on the boundary delimitation process in Beijing.
PM Modi conveyed to Bhutanese King India’s full support to the socioeconomic development of Bhutan based on its priorities even as the two sides agreed to boost crossborder connectivity and expand ties in trade, infrastructure and energy.
A joint statement issued after wide-ranging talks between PM Modi and Wangchuck said the two sides agreed on a final location survey for the proposed crossborder rail link connecting Kokrajhar in Assam to Gelephu in Bhutan. They also agreed to consider establishing a rail link between Banarhat in West Bengal and Samtse in Bhutan.
In a social media post, PM Modi said they had very warm and positive discussions on various facets of the unique and exemplary India-Bhutan relationship. The Prime Minister said he deeply values the Bhutan king’s vision for the development and well- being of the friendly people of Bhutan.
“India and Bhutan enjoy unique ties of friendship and cooperation, which are characterized by understanding and mutual trust.
The visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to review the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation and to further advance the exemplary bilateral partnership, across diverse sectors,” a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs said. The Bhutan King is on an eight-day visit to India. The King arrived in New Delhi on November 5 after concluding his two-day visit to Assam.
Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on the Bhutan King. In a post on X , the minister said, “Privilege to call on His Majesty, the King of Bhutan shortly after his arrival in New Delhi. Pleased to hear about the experience of his first visit to Assam.”
