Foreign secy, new Bhutanese PM meet; discuss ways to strengthen bilateral ties

Foreign Minister Vinay Mohan Kwatra (Photo/ANI)

Foreign Minister Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Monday called on Bhutan’s new Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and discussed areas of mutual interest and multi-faceted cooperation to further strengthen India’s ties with the Himalayan country.

Kwatra arrived here earlier on a three-day trip, during the first high-level visit from India after the formation of a new government led by People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Tobgay.

Kwatra visited Prime Minister Tobgay at the Prime Minister’s office in Gyalyong Tshogkhang. According to The Bhutanese newspaper, various areas of mutual interest and cooperation between Bhutan and India were discussed during the meeting.

The Prime Minister also hosted a dinner for the Foreign Minister and his delegation at his residence, a report on X said.

Kwatra also held bilateral consultations with Bhutan’s Foreign Minister Aum Pema Choden. A wide-ranging discussion on multifaceted cooperation between India and Bhutan in the areas of development partnership, space, energy, trade, technology, economic ties and people-to-people ties, the Indian Embassy posted here on X.

Kwatra’s visit comes against the backdrop of China and Bhutan looking at an early resolution of their festering border row that could impact India’s security interests.

“Foreign Minister @AmbVMKwatra was warmly welcomed by Aum Pema Choden, Foreign Minister of Bhutan on his arrival in Paro for an official visit from January 29-31,” the Indian Embassy tweeted earlier.

“The visit is in the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan, and will provide the two sides with an opportunity to review the entire range of bilateral ties,” the report said.

During the visit, Kwatra will receive an audience with His Majesty the King. He will also call on the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and meet the Foreign Minister of Bhutan and other senior officials of the Royal Government, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

Tobgay became prime minister of Bhutan on Sunday, following the PDP’s victory in elections earlier this month.

Nearly three months ago, Bhutan’s then Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing.

A Chinese readout on the talks shows that Bhutan firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to work with China for an early resolution of the border issue and promote the political process of establishing diplomatic ties.

New Delhi has been closely watching the negotiations between Bhutan and China on their border area as it could impact New Delhi’s security interests, especially in the Doklam tri-junction.

Meanwhile, the Indian Ambassador here on Monday greeted the newly sworn-in Prime Minister of Bhutan and the Foreign Minister and said he looks forward to working together to further deepen the exemplary ties between India and Bhutan across all sectors.

The meetings between Ambassador Sudhakar Dalela and Bhutanese elected leaders took place a day after Tshering Tobgay was sworn in as Prime Minister and Lyonpo DN Dhungyel as Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade.

Ambassador @SudhakarDalela paid a courtesy call on Hon’ble Lyonchhen @tsheringtobgay and conveyed greetings from the Indian leadership on his acceptance of responsibility as Prime Minister. The Indian Mission in Bhutan is committed to working closely to further strengthen the unique ties of friendship between Bhutan and India and posted it on X along with the photo of the meeting.

Amb @SudhakarDalela paid a courtesy call on Lyonpo DN Dhungyel and conveyed greetings on behalf of EAM on his assumption of responsibility as Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade. We look forward to working together to further deepen the exemplary ties between Bhutan and India across all sectors, the mission posted on

Both Tobgay and Dhungyel belong to the People’s Democratic Party, which won 30 of the 47 seats in the National Assembly in Bhutan’s January 9 parliamentary elections. The Bhutan Tendrel Party had won 17 seats in the country’s fourth general election since transforming from a traditional monarchy. to a parliamentary form of government in 2008.

First print: January 29, 2024 | 10:15 PM IST