Bhutan King, PM hold talks

Bhutan King, PM hold talks

Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk held comprehensive discussions with PM Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on Monday on a host of issues of mutual interest.

Two leaders took stock of the bilateral partnership in the area of hydro-power generation and focused on boosting trade ties.

King had a tight schedule on Monday, as he exchanged views with the Vice-President, the leader of the Opposition, Home and Finance Ministers, UPA Chairperson and the Foreign Secretary.

He was accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan. Later he went to Rajghat to pay floral tributes to the father of the nation 'Mahatma Gandhi'.

India and Bhutan have traditionally close relations. New Delhi has been helping Thimpu in tapping its potential in hydro-power sector and is in the forefront in establishing some of the best hydro-power projects in the world in the Himalayan Kingdom.

India has decided to import a minimum of ten thousand megawatts of electricity from Bhutan by 2020.

In a bid to scale up trade relations between the two countries, India has allowed sixteen entry and exit points for Bhutanese traders.

It has been supporting Bhutan 's move towards democracy. It is expected that the present visit of the King will give a fresh impetus to the relations between the two countries, paving the way for tapping full potential of commercial ties.

This is the first visit abroad of the king after the Royal Wedding on 13^th October and the fourth trip to India since his coronation in November 2008.

The couple will also go to Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur during their stay.

The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level visits and exchanges between India and Bhutan.Media agencies