In an effort to strengthen bilateral relations, accompanied by a high-level official delegation Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay is set to visit India on March 14-18. The visit is his first foreign trip after re-election and assumes importance due to China’s geopolitical dynamics in the region. Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay is coming at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to the official statement issued by Ministry of External affairs today (March 13, 2024), the Bhutanese leader will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Employment and senior officials from the Royal Government of Bhutan.
The Prime Minister of Bhutan will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi and call on the President Droupadi Murmu. The External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and other Indian dignitaries will call on the Prime Minister of Bhutan. Besides New Delhi, the Bhutanese leader will also travel to Mumbai.
Agenda in India & Significance
The focus of the visit is to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries and discuss economic stimulus. Tobgay assumed the position of Prime Minister for the second time on January 28, during his five days visit he will engage with Indian officials, including Prime Minister Modi, and focus on strengthening bilateral relations and discussing an economic stimulus plan aimed at revitalizing Bhutan’s economy.
India – Bhutan
Tobgay’s visit to India carries significant weight against the backdrop of Bhutan’s economic challenges and its intricate relations with China. As Bhutan’s primary development partner, India plays a pivotal role in its socio-economic progress, supporting over 600 projects and contributing significantly to its Five-Year Plans. Under Tobgay’s leadership, Bhutan recently rolled out a Rs 15 billion economic stimulus package, with India’s backing, aimed at addressing economic slowdowns in sectors like tourism, technology, and small businesses, Tobgay announced this initiative on February 29 in Thimphu.
Notably, Tobgay’s visit coincides with ongoing negotiations between Bhutan and China regarding their border dispute, an issue closely monitored by India due to its implications for regional security. This visit provides Bhutan with an opportunity to reaffirm its ties with India and strategize on tackling economic and geopolitical challenges, ensuring stability and prosperity in the region. India’s substantial support for Bhutan’s stimulus plan underscores the depth of their relations and India’s commitment to Bhutan’s development.
Furthermore, India’s Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra’s recent visit to Bhutan highlighted the multifaceted cooperation between the two nations, covering areas such as development partnership, space, energy, trade, technology, and people-to-people ties. These discussions reflect the strong bond between India and Bhutan and their shared commitment to enhancing mutual prosperity and security.