Thimphu: Bhutan`s request for Indian assistance in its 11th Five Year Plan will be the main focus of the first round of Development Cooperation talks between senior officials of the two countries to be held this week.
India has assured Bhutan of its assistance and support in addressing the economic situation. The assurance was made when National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh called on Bhutan`s new Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay here last week.
"We`ll do everything we can to support and provide assistance to Bhutan. We really look forward to working together and achieving positive outcomes," Menon had said.
Tobgay had expressed his gratitude to his Indian counterpart Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for assuring him of New Delhi`s assistance for the 11th five-year plan.
The first round of Bhutan-India Development Cooperation talks between the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) and the Government of India (GoI) will be held in Thimphu from 15-17 August, 2013, a statement from the Bhutanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The statement said that the Bhutanese delegation will be led by Foreign Secretary Yeshey Dorji and the Indian Delegation by Special Secretary of Development Partnership Administration of the Ministry of External Affairs.
During the talks, the two sides will review the RGoB`s request for India`s assistance in the 11th FYP and also other related issues would be discussed.
The Special Secretary and his delegation are scheduled to call on Foreign Minister Rinzin Dorje, Finance Minister Namgay Dorji and Prime Minister Tobgay during the visit.
PTI
