The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Tandi Dorji returned to the country after meeting his Indian counterpart, H.E. Shri. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (PhD) yesterday. Lyonpo was in India from 17 to 23 November 2019 at the invitation of the External Affairs Minister of India.
This was Lyonpo’s first bilateral visit to India.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two Ministers discussed the Bhutan-India relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the special bond that defines the unique relationship the two countries share. They reviewed the progress of cooperation in Bhutan’s 12th Five Year Plan and cooperation in other areas, including hydropower development, the establishment of the Multi-disciplinary Super-specialty Hospital and enhancing connectivity through railway links.
Lyonpo also briefed his counterpart on the revised tourism policy that Bhutan plans to implement, particularly in regard to regional tourism, and sought the Government of India’s understanding and support in its implementation.
During the visit, Lyonpo also held meetings in New Delhi with H.E. Shri. Amit Shah, Union Minister for Home Affairs and H.E. Shri. Vijay Gokhale, Foreign Secretary of India.
Lyonpo also visited the Bhutanese Monastery in Bodh Gaya and the site of the ongoing construction of the Bhutanese temple in Rajgir. While in Rajgir, Lyonpo met with the Bhutanese students who are currently studying at the Nalanda University in Rajgir. In Kolkata, Lyonpo called on H.E. Jagdeep Dhankhar, Governor of West Bengal and had meetings with H.E. Shri Rajiva Sinha, Chief Secretary of West Bengal and S.B. Chakrabarti, General Secretary of the Asiatic Society.
