City
Epaper

Foreign Secretary visits Bhutan ahead of Modi's visit

By IANS | Updated: July 6, 2019 16:50 IST

Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale paid a two-day visit to Bhutan to lay the groundwork for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the close strategic neighbour next month.

Open in App

Gokhale, who was in Bhutan on July 4-5, had an audience with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, and called on Prime Minister Lotay Tshering. Later, the Bhutanese Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji hosted Foreign Secretary Gokhale for dinner.

The visit of the Foreign Secretary was in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries, a Ministry of External Affairs statement said.

Last week, Bhutanese Foreign Minister Dorji told the media in Thimphu that Prime Minister Modi is to pay a two-day visit to the country. He also said that the itinerary of the visit would be fixed soon.

Bhutan was the first country that Prime Minister Modi visited after winning the elections in 2014.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited the Himalayan nation in June in his first overseas trip after assuming charge of the Ministry.

Jaishankar had met Prime Minister Tshering, and discussed ways to enhance bilateral ties with emphasis on cooperation in the hydropower sector.

The Bhutanese Prime Minister had also made New Delhi his first foreign destination after his party formed the government in November 2018. He also attended Prime Minister Modi's swearing-in ceremony in May where he reiterated his invitation to the latter to visit Bhutan.

In 2018, India and Bhutan celebrated 50 years of diplomatic ties. India is also one of the main purchasers of Bhutan's hydropower.

With China gradually attempting to increase its influence on the tiny Himalayan nation, India is careful to keep Beijing at bay, especially after the Doklam standoff of 2017 that saw ties between New Delhi and Beijing plummet. Doklam plateau is on the tri-junction between India, Bhutan and China.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: BhutanindiaTandi DorjimodiGokhale
Open in App

Related Stories

HealthUS Rice Contains Highest Arsenic Levels; Indian Basmati and Thai Jasmine Among Safest, Reveals New Study

Maharashtra"This is Betrayal": Former MP Calls Out Prada for Allegedly Copying Kolhapuri Chappal Design

InternationalWhen Will Russia Deliver More S-400 Missiles to India? Major Update Revealed - Here’s Why It Was Delayed

NationalIndia Extends Airspace Ban on Pakistan-Based Aircraft Till July 24

PunePune Accident: Woman Injured After Being Hit by Speeding Autorickshaw in Gokhale Nagar, CCTV Video Surfaces

National Realted Stories

NationalMangaluru: Two Workers Die After Inhaling Toxic Gas During Routine Inspection at MRPL

NationalTwo-day police conference in Jaipur to check human trafficking

NationalCongress flags five key objections to Special Intensive Revision in Bihar

NationalCare of senior citizens is the community's responsibility: Delhi Speaker Vijender Gupta

NationalNavi Mumbai International Airport must be completed by Sep 30: Maha CM