Paro (Bhutan), June 18: External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, on his first foreign visit after assuming office, arrived here on Thursday on a two-day visit during which he will
hold bilateral meetings with Bhutanese leadership.
Krishna, who is accompanied by Foreign Secretary
Shivshanker Menon and other senior officials of the Ministry,
was received by Bhutanese Foreign Minister Lyonpo Ugyen
Tshering and Information and Broadcasting Minister Nandlal Rai
on his arrival at the international airport here.
The External Affairs Minister also flagged off the
first flight of Paro-Bagdogra (Assam) flight of Bhutan's Druk
Air that would facilitate greater connectivity to promote
trade and tourism between the two countries.
"India and Bhutan share uniquely warm and cordial
relation. These are founded on close consultations, maturity,
complete trust, mutual understanding, shared interest and
mutually beneficial cooperation," Krishna said in his remarks
after arriving here.
He also said that his visit was aimed at further
strengthening of the bilateral ties and economic cooperation.
While a multifaceted cooperation covers a broad
canvas, he said cooperation in the hydro-power sector is the
key element.
At present, the joint hydro power project between
India and Bhutan was harnessing only four per cent of the
total capacity of 30,000 MW which Bhutan has and the target is
to increase it by 10,000 MW by 2020.
Indian Ambassador to Bhutan Pavan K Verma was also
present at the airport.
Wide range of issues including economic cooperation
and strengthening of relationship between the two countries is
expected to figure during the meetings between Krishna and
Bhutanese leadership.
Besides bilateral ties, focus of the visit will be on
the situation in the region given Bhutan's strategic location
between India and China.
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, June 18, 2009, 11:20