PM Modi holds talks with Bhutan King; focus on bilateral ties, issues of national interest
The HinduIndia and Bhutan remain in “close coordination” over all security matters, said Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, indicating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck discussed the latest situation along the India-Bhutan border as well as the progress in boundary talks between China and Bhutan, particularly above the Doklam trijunction point, during a meeting in Delhi on April 4. Responding to a number of questions about the possibility of a boundary deal between China and Bhutan that could negatively impact India’s strategic interests in the region, Mr. Kwatra told journalists that the two leaders had discussed the “entire gamut” of bilateral cooperation and issues of national and regional interests, and that the two countries share an “exemplary” relationship of “trust, goodwill and mutual understanding”. ‘Shared national interests’ “India and Bhutan remain in close touch and close coordination relating to our shared national interests including security interests,” Mr. Kwatra said at a briefing after the meeting. pic.twitter.com/o1lqYYJlVn — Dr. S. Jaishankar April 3, 2023 Reform, development focus Mr. Kwatra said that while strategic issues were discussed, the focus of the talks was on bilateral ties and, in particular, the Bhutanese King’s “Transformation Initiatives and Reforms Process”, as well as India’s support for Bhutan’s development plans, including the 13th Five Year Plan that starts from next year.