New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is accompanying Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bhutan on his maiden foreign visit, told reporters here that the Indian side was “extremely satisfied” with the extremely successful visit.
Swaraj said PM Narendra Modi gave some new suggestions to Bhutan. She said Bhutan was selected for the Prime Minister’s first foreign visit as it is one of India’s important neighbours”.
Prime Minister Modi proposed to hold a joint sports festival between Bhutan and north-eastern states of India, establish e-libraries in 20 districts in Bhutan and set up a university on Himalayan studies, she said. We reiterated that the commitments made by the previous government will be fulfilled. These commitments are made by a country to a country and not by government to government, Swaraj said.
The visit, Swaraj said, has reinforced relations between the two countries. Though it was a short visit, Modi was able to interact with the members of the Legislature, Judiciary and the Executive.
Referring to the power projects being implemented in Bhutan, Swaraj said Modi was of the view that these projects should be completed in a speedy manner.
The Prime Minister spoke from his heart to the Bhutanese leadership and said the name of the two countries start with the letter ‘B’ and “Bharat should stand for Bhutan and Bhutan for Bharat,” Swaraj told reporters. “It has become a quotable quote,” she said.
Responding to a question, the External Affairs Minister said while a strong India was in the interest of its neighbours, strong and stable governments in the neighbourhood were also in the interest of New Delhi. She said the Indian side was “deeply touched” by the gesture of the monarchy and the people of Bhutan in welcoming Modi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had arrived in Bhutan on Sunday morning on his first foreign visit.
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