Our Correspondent / New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced Rs 4,500 crore financial assistance to Bhutan for its 12th five-year plan. The announcement came after wide-ranging talks with his Bhutanese counterpart Dr. Lotay Tshering here today.
The new five-year plan of Bhutan began this year and will continue till 2022. In his media statement after the talks, Mr. Modi said hydropower cooperation with Bhutan is a key aspect of bilateral ties and that work on the Mangdechhu project will soon be completed.
Dr. Tshering arrived here yesterday on his first foreign visit after taking charge as Prime Minister of the Himalayan nation last month following his party’s victory in the general elections. His visit takes place during the Golden Jubilee year of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries.
He was accorded ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning.
Mr Modi said he has assured the Bhutanese Prime Minister that India, as a trusted friend, will continue to play an important role in Bhutan’s development.
Prime Minister Modi said, collaboration in space science is a new dimension in India-Bhutan relations. He said, the ground station being built by ISRO in Bhutan will soon be ready. The station will help Bhutan get benefits from South Asian satellite.
Dr. Tshering on his part noted that Prime Minister Modi was the first head of state to congratulate him on his electoral victory. He also thanked India for its continued support to his country’s developmental needs.
Earlier the visiting dignitary also paid homage to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Later, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called on Dr Tshering.
He will call on Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu this evening. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu and Power Minister R K Singh are scheduled to call on the visiting dignitary.