PM declares Rs 4,500 crore assistance for Bhutan

New Delhi: After talks with Bhutanese Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced assistance of Rs 4,500 crore for Bhutan’s 12th five-year plan. Mr Modi said the money would be utilised by Bhutan as per its requirements.

The Bhutanese Prime Minister is on a three-day visit to India ending Saturday and this is his first visit abroad after assuming office.

Mr Modi and the Bhutanese PM also discussed cooperation in hydropower after which Mr Modi said work on the Mangdechhu project would soon be completed.

Mr Modi also praised the decision of Bhutan to launch “RuPay cards” and expressed confidence that it would boost people-to-people ties between the two countries.

Mr Modi also said the Bhutanese PM had discussed the “Narrowing the Gap” vision for his country (Bhutan) and added that this was similar to the “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas” vision.

The Bhutanese PM also met external affairs minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj on Friday.