Bhutan keen to set up consulate in Guwahati: PM Tshering Tobgay

Guwahati: Bhutan is keen to set up a consulate in Guwahati, its Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay said on Friday.

"I have asked the Government of India to allow us to set up a consulate in Guwahati", Tobgay said while speaking as guest of honour at the Inauguration ceremony of the five-day river festival 'Namami Brahmaputra'(Obesiance to Brahmaputra) here.

"We share a lot. We have a lot of historical ties of cooperation and friendship. There is a 255 km border between Bhutan and Assam where people of the two countries interact friendly, he pointed out.

"Raw silk processed in Assam is woven by Bhutanese women. Bhurtal (big cymbals) which are symbols in every household and temple in Bhutan have come from Assam. These are clear symbols of the cooperation between the people of Assam and Bhutan", he said.

Terming Brahmaputra as a store house of potentiality and prosperity, Prime Minister Tobgay professed on the need of spreading its benefits to the neighbouring states and country.

"Bhutan and Bangladesh will benefit from your (Assam's) progress. As Assam grows Bhutan gets benefit and progresses. We look forward to working closely with India", he said.

He also said that Assam is not only gateway but also hub of all activities as he urged upon Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to work together in the fields of bio-diversity and other aspects of trade to forward the common interests of Assam and Bhutan.

Namami Brahmaputra was inaugurated by President Pranab Mukherjee on the banks of the mighty river Brahmaputra in Guwahati.