Bhutan King Wangchuk To Begin 3-Day India Visit Today To Boost Economic Ties

Bhutan holds strategic significance for India, and the defence and security ties between the two countries have expanded considerably in recent years.

File photo of PM Narendra Modi and Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck

Source : PTI

Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is scheduled to visit India from April 3 to 5 for a three-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral engagement. His visit will particularly focus on the areas of economic and development cooperation, reported news agency PTI.

The King will hold talks with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit. The Royal government of Bhutan's senior officials, including Tandi Dorji, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, will accompany him, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

According to the MEA, the King Wangchuk's visit marks the continuation of the long bilateral tradition of periodic high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan. The MEA also stated that India and Bhutan have "unique ties of friendship and cooperation, which are characterized by understanding and mutual trust".

The visit presents an opportunity for both countries to review the entirety of their bilateral cooperation, including economic and development cooperation. It will also help further advance their close bilateral partnership, according to the MEA. Bhutan holds strategic significance for India, and the defence and security ties between the two countries have expanded considerably in recent years. The Doklam plateau is a significant area for India's strategic interests, the PTI report stated.

After China attempted to extend a road in an area that Bhutan claimed belonged to it, the Indian and Chinese armies were engaged in a 73-day standoff at the Doklam tri-junction in 2017. India objected to the construction since it would have jeopardized its overall security interests. Following several rounds of talks, the India-China face-off was resolved.

Bhutan and China signed an agreement on a "three-step roadmap" to expedite negotiations to resolve their long-standing boundary dispute in October 2021. Bhutan shares a 400-km-long border with China. The two nations have held 24 rounds of talks to resolve the boundary dispute.

India has been supporting Bhutan's implementation of its successive 'Five Year Plans' since 1961, and it provided special assistance to Bhutan during the COVID-19 pandemic. India has been Bhutan's top trade partner. India is also the highest investors in Bhutan.

For various multi-sectoral projects, small development projects, and direct budgetary support, India provided Rs 4500 crore to Bhutan's XII five-year plan (2018-23).

Significant cooperation between the two countries has also occurred in the hydro-power sector. In November 2021, India formally launched seven trade routes for bilateral and transit trade with Bhutan. This provided access to new markets for the export of 12 agri-products from Bhutan to India, as well as various special exceptions/ quotas for export.