Modi announces big financial package for Bhutan; joint vision on energy partnership launched
India and Bhutan on Friday upgraded their partnership to the next level with the conclusion of several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on energy, trade, digital connectivity, space, agriculture and connecting the youth, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a support of Rs 10,000 crore for the Himalayan nation over the next five years.
Modi, on a two-day visit to Thimphu, was honoured with Bhutan’s highest civilian award, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, becoming the first non-Bhutanese to achieve the distinction.
“This honour is not my personal achievement, it is the honour of India and 140 crore Indians. I humbly accept this honour on behalf of all Indians in this great land of Bhutan and thank you all from the bottom of my heart for this honour," Modi said on the occasion.
The King of Bhutan presented the award to PM Modi, who said, “To fulfil your goals, India stands with you for BB – Brand Bhutan and Bhutan Believe. I assure you that the upcoming five years will give a new energy to our relations. We will work to create avenues in the connectivity, infrastructure, trade and energy sectors.”
In his speech on the occasion, the King of Bhutan said, “For Bhutan our neighbourhood is of vital importance and Bhutan-India relations, particularly, is a unique and time-tested partnership. It brings us great joy to see India succeed in every field, to see her global stature grow, and her people achieve greater prosperity. Bhutan also stands to benefit when India succeeds; we feel reassured about the future
