Modi In Bhutan: India Seeks To Cooperate Extensively In Areas From School To Space, PM Tells Students

PM Modi is in Thimphu on his second visit to Bhutan and the first since his re-election in May this year.

On the final leg of his two-day visit to Bhutan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that India is looking forward to co-operating extensively in new frontiers, from schools to space and from digital payments to disaster management. (ANI)

PM Modi in Bhutan: On the final leg of his two-day visit to Bhutan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that India is looking forward to co-operating extensively in new frontiers, from schools to space and from digital payments to disaster management. While addressing students at the Royal University of Bhutan, PM said, "Going beyond the traditional sectors of cooperation, we are seeking to cooperate extensively in new frontiers, from schools to space, digital payments to disaster management. The world today offers more opportunities than ever before. You have the power and potential to do extraordinary things, which will impact generations to come. Find your real calling and pursue it with full passion." PM Modi is in Thimphu on his second visit to Bhutan and the first since his re-election in May this year. "As Bhutan soars high in its endeavours, your 1.3 billion Indian friends will not just look on and cheer you with pride and happiness. They will partner you, share with you and learn from you," said PM Modi. Talking about India-Bhutan relations, the prime minister further said that the bond is as modern as it is ancient. "It is natural that the people of Bhutan and India experience great attachment to each other. After all, we are close not just due to our geography. Our history, culture and spiritual traditions have created unique and deep bonds between our peoples and nations," PM said.

The bond of learning between us is as modern as it is ancient. In the 20th century, many Indians came to Bhutan as teachers. Most Bhutanese citizens of older generations would have had at least one India teacher during their education: PM

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 18, 2019

Referring to India's space programmes and the moon mission Chandrayaan-2, PM Modi said Bhutan is also on its way to having its own satellite. "It is even a matter of great happiness that young Bhutanese scientists will travel to India to work on designing and launching Bhutan’s own small satellite. I hope that someday soon, many of you will be scientists, engineers and innovators," PM Modi said.

It is even a matter of great happiness that young Bhutanese scientists will travel to India to work on designing and launching Bhutan’s own small satellite.

I hope that someday soon, many of you will be scientists, engineers and innovators: PM — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 18, 2019

"The world today offers more opportunities than ever before. You have the power and potential to do extra-ordinary things, which will impact generations to come. Find your real calling and pursue it with full passion," said PM Modi as some of the university students in the large hall, in their traditional attire, nodded in agreement. On Saturday, Modi held wide ranging talks with the Bhutanese Prime Minister during which they discussed steps to further expand the bilateral partnership across several sectors as the two nations signed 10 MoUs to infuse new energy in their ties. The two countries signed 10 Memorandum of Understandings in the field of space research, aviation, IT, power and education. Modi also launched RuPay Card in Bhutan by making a purchase at Simtokha Dzong, built in 1629 by Shabdrung Namgyal, which functions as a monastic and administrative centre and is one of the oldest dzongs in Bhutan.