Speeches / Statements

Remarks by EAM on arrival at the Paro Airport

18/06/2009

June 18, 2009

I am very happy to be here on my first visit abroad as the External Affairs Minister of India. We wish to reaffirm our close relations. I bring greetings and good wishes from the government and people of India for Bhutan.

India and Bhutan share uniquely warm and cordial relations. These are founded on close consultations, maturity, complete trust, mutual understanding, shared interests and mutually beneficial cooperation. They are an example of good-neighbourly relations.

I look forward to audiences with His Majesty the King of Bhutan and His Majesty the Fourth King. I also look forward to my meetings with Hon’ble Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Bhutan to further strengthen our bilateral relations and economic cooperation.

We are privileged to be a close development partner of Bhutan for about half a century based on the Royal Government’s priorities. We, therefore, rejoice in Bhutan’s progress and prosperity.

While our multi-faceted cooperation covers a broad canvas, cooperation in the hydropower sector is a key element. Building on the successful execution of the three hydro projects – Chukkha, Kurichu and Tala – the Governments of the two countries have decided to add another 10,000 MW of hydropower capacity by 2020. This would substantially benefit both the countries.

We congratulate the Royal Government of Bhutan for the successful completion of the first year of the historic transition to Constitutional Democratic Monarchy. India has been privileged to share its experience with Bhutan through interaction between Parliamentarians of the two countries.

I am happy to flag off the first Druk Air flight from Paro to Bagdogra that would facilitate greater connectivity to promote trade and tourism between our countries. I also look forward to signing the MoU on Nehru-Wangchuck Scholarship that would provide an opportunity to meritorious and talented Bhutanese students to study in prestigious Indian Universities and Institutions.

I hope that my visit would further strengthen the bilateral links between the two countries.

Thank You.