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12398
Sun, 07/13/2008 - 20:56
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http://m.oananews.org//node/12398
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Bhutan PM's maiden visit to India from Monday
Thimphu, July 12 (PTI) Bhutan's first democratically elected Prime Minister Jigmi Y. Thinley will embark on a four-day visit to India on Monday, his first trip abroad after assuming power in April, to strengthen economic cooperationbetween the age-old allies, especially in the power sector.
Foreign Affairs Minister Ugyen Tshering, Economic Affairs Minister Khandu Wangchuck and Finance Minister Wangdi Norbuwill be among the 42 delegates who will accompany Thinley.
Tshering said the "goodwill visit" was very significant for Bhutan because it would further contribute towardsstrengthening cooperation between the two countries.
"India has taken the visit at a state level and it reallyshows the extent of good relations between the two countries.
It has been accorded the highest level of courtesy a host canshow," he told reporters here.
During the visit, Thinley will call on President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister ManmohanSingh.
He will also meet Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Leaderof Opposition L.K. Advani.
Wangchuck said the visit, besides contributing to the overall Indo-Bhutan relationship, would also help in implementation of the 10th Plan as well as development of themega hydro power projects.
"In terms of the Tenth Plan and the mega power projects, an official level talk between the two governments was held earlier this week in India to prepare the delegation for thestate visit," he said.
Talks on the plan as well as bilateral cooperation onhydropower projects have been completed at the official level.
"We'll continue these discussions at a political level duringthe visit," Wangchuck said.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during his visit to Bhutanin May, had announced a Rs 99.3 billion grant to the country.
The Bhutanese ministers said the government is discussing "ways and means of allocating this amount to the planned as well as non-planned development activities, such as the hydropower projects".
Besides hydropower, other areas of cooperation, such as the railway link between Phuentsholing and Hashimara, wouldalso be discussed.
The three ministers will also meet their Indiancounterparts during the visit.
Tshering said Thinley's visit is first and foremost agoodwill visit.
"If there are issues that we can take up during our visit, we'll try and sort things out but not everything needs to besorted out immediately," he said.
"The manner in which the whole visit has been structured is that it is just an exchange of friendship and goodwill, we will continue to discuss other matters of bilateral importance to the two countries."
Foreign Affairs Minister Ugyen Tshering, Economic Affairs Minister Khandu Wangchuck and Finance Minister Wangdi Norbuwill be among the 42 delegates who will accompany Thinley.
Tshering said the "goodwill visit" was very significant for Bhutan because it would further contribute towardsstrengthening cooperation between the two countries.
"India has taken the visit at a state level and it reallyshows the extent of good relations between the two countries.
It has been accorded the highest level of courtesy a host canshow," he told reporters here.
During the visit, Thinley will call on President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister ManmohanSingh.
He will also meet Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and Leaderof Opposition L.K. Advani.
Wangchuck said the visit, besides contributing to the overall Indo-Bhutan relationship, would also help in implementation of the 10th Plan as well as development of themega hydro power projects.
"In terms of the Tenth Plan and the mega power projects, an official level talk between the two governments was held earlier this week in India to prepare the delegation for thestate visit," he said.
Talks on the plan as well as bilateral cooperation onhydropower projects have been completed at the official level.
"We'll continue these discussions at a political level duringthe visit," Wangchuck said.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during his visit to Bhutanin May, had announced a Rs 99.3 billion grant to the country.
The Bhutanese ministers said the government is discussing "ways and means of allocating this amount to the planned as well as non-planned development activities, such as the hydropower projects".
Besides hydropower, other areas of cooperation, such as the railway link between Phuentsholing and Hashimara, wouldalso be discussed.
The three ministers will also meet their Indiancounterparts during the visit.
Tshering said Thinley's visit is first and foremost agoodwill visit.
"If there are issues that we can take up during our visit, we'll try and sort things out but not everything needs to besorted out immediately," he said.
"The manner in which the whole visit has been structured is that it is just an exchange of friendship and goodwill, we will continue to discuss other matters of bilateral importance to the two countries."
