The Indian Foreign Secretary, Ranjan Mathai, has assured that India is committed to supporting Bhutan’s 11th Five Year Plan. He said their support towards the development of hydro-power in Bhutan would continue.
In a short meeting with the press, yesterday, the Indian Foreign Secretary, Ranjan Mathai, shared that the Joint Secretary North, Akhilesh Mishra, would return to the country to extensively discuss the 11th Five Year Plan.
“India will support the plan, that is sure but how much and which projects…We will be working very closely with our colleagues,” said Ranjan Mathai. He said they will be checking on the outcomes of the major projects jointly with the Government of Bhutan so that both the counter-parts are satisfied. “My colleague here will be coming back shortly to discuss specially on the plan.”
Asked about funding difficulties faced by the hydro-power sector in the country, the foreign secretary said that all ministries in India were asked to cut down on expenses to bring the fiscal deficit within an acceptable range.
Ranjan Mathai added that with the new projects, creative thought is being applied to meet the financial costs of projects.
The foreign secretary shared that although no specific commitments have been made by the Indian government to the 11th Five Year Plan, the Indian government is optimistic about working with the Bhutanese government.
