Our foreign policy should not change every five years with change in government: Bhutan PM to India
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The New Bhutanese PM told FS Gokhale that, “Our foreign policy should not change every five years with a change in government".
In the first-ever Interaction between Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering and New Delhi, Tshering has expressed his appreciation to Prime Minister Modi for the telephonic call to felicitate him on election victory and said that he is committed to strengthening the special bond of friendship and cooperation shared by the two countries.
India's Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale was on a visit to Bhutan from 18th to November 20. This was the first ever high-level govt visit from India to Bhutan ever since the new govt took charge.
The Bhutanese PM told FS Gokhale that, “Our foreign policy should not change every five years with a change in government".
According to Ministry of the external affairs press release, the Foreign Secretary conveyed that "India attaches the highest priority to further expanding its unique ties of friendship and cooperation with Bhutan, based on the priorities of the Royal Government of Bhutan." The two sides discussed all aspects of bilateral relations, including high-level exchanges, economic and development co-operation, hydro-power co-operation and people to people ties.
Lotay Tshering became the new PM of Bhutan on 7th November. This year both the countries are marking the Golden Jubilee year of establishing diplomatic ties and several commemorative activities are being jointly organized.
Foreign Secretary also called on foreign Minister Lyonpo Dr Tandi Dorji and met Foreign Secretary of Bhutan Ambassador Sonam Tshong. He had an audience with the King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck His Majesty Jigme & the Fourth King of Bhutan Singye Wangchuck.
Bhutan's Doklam area was the centre of a tiff between China and India in 2017 after Chinese forces sought to occupy the area by building a road. During the standoff, Bhutan had conveyed to the Chinese side that the construction of the road inside Bhutanese territory is a direct violation of the agreements and affects the process of demarcating the boundary between both the neighbours.
Though both New Delhi and Bejing finally managed to cool of the tensions, it is a precarious peace.