India will provide Rs.10,000 crore as financial support to Bhutan over the next five years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday as the two sides signed six agreements to bolster cooperation in areas ranging from energy to space.
Modi spoke about the aid at a ceremony where he was awarded the Order of Druk Gyalpo, Bhutan’s highest honour, after talks with his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay aimed at shoring up bilateral ties against the backdrop of China’s effort.
PM Narendra Modi Visited Bhutan
Modi travelled to Bhutan a day after his visit was postponed because of bad weather at the airport at Paro. It is rare for Indian premiers to travel after dates for the general election have been announced, and the trip emphasises the importance New Delhi attaches to its relationship with Thimphu. Referring to Bhutan’s target of becoming a high-income country by 2034.
PM Modi Said Will Work On New Possibilities
“We will work on new possibilities in connectivity, infrastructure, trade and the energy sector between India and Bhutan,” he said, speaking in Hindi after King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck presented the award to him at a ceremony attended by ministers, diplomats, military officials and school children. Modi is the first foreign leader to be given this award.
Modi Also Spoke Of Plans For Building a New Airport
He also spoke of plans for building a new airport to improve air connectivity and new rail links between Banarhat (West Bengal) and Samtse (Bhutan) and Kokrajhar (Assam) and Gelephu (Bhutan). He said waterways will be linked through the Brahmaputra River, and integrated checkposts will be built to strengthen trade infrastructure.
India will support the Bhutan king’s visionary project at Gelephu, he said, referring to plans to create a regional economic hub.