Mamata Banerjee describes Bhutan visit as 'historic'

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday described her visit to Bhutan as "historic" and said it would boost the relationship between the two neighbouring nations.

Returning to the city after her maiden five-day visit to the Himalayan kingdom, she told reporters at NSC Bose International Airport that Bhutan shared a long-standing relationship with India and West Bengal in particular, which would be further strengthened in various fields.

She said Bhutan shares nearly 183 km of its border with West Bengal.

"Accordingly, our culture, heritage, tourism and small-scale industries will be developed," she said, adding, the state government employees would be able to travel to Bhutan on LTC.

Overwhelmed by the hospitality of her hosts, she said Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay would attend the Biswa Bangla Sammelan on January 8 and 9. The Prime Minister, had in fact, come to see her off in Thimphu, she said.

The Bhutanese King with whom she had a telephonic talk before leaving for Kolkata had also expressed his desire to visit the city, she added.