New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee today said the two countries can jointly contribute to constructive talks and far reaching outcomes at the upcoming SAARC Summit. Mukherjee said on the last day of his two-day Bhutan visit, the first by an Indian head of state to the country in the last 26 years.
Addressing a convention, where he also launched a number of India-sponsored programmes in Bhutan, Mukherjee called upon both nations to earnestly take up their role within SAARC for advancement of the region and for global peace, security and development.
Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, along with his Cabinet colleagues, was present during the function where President Mukherjee unveiled a School Reforms project, a 546-km double-laning road project and a Central school developed through India’s assistance.
Three agreements between IIM Ahmedabad and the Royal Civil Service Commission of Bhutan and one between the Royal University of Bhutan and India’s National Innovation Foundation were signed in the presence of President Mukherjee and the Bhutanese Prime Minister. An agreement was also signed between the English and Foreign Languages University of Hyderabad and the Royal University of Bhutan.
The President yesterday evening inaugurated the Jigme Wangchuk Power Training Institute that will train Bhutanese youth to run future projects that aims to produce a total of 20,000 MW by 2020 with India as its biggest buyer.
Four more projects have been taken up now as joint ventures between public sector undertakings of India and Bhutan and the foundation stone of the first such project being laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit Bhutan in June. Mukherjee lauded Bhutan for keeping its culture and human values intact, for moving ahead both as a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy.
Bureau Report
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