Embassy of IndiaThimphu

2001-02

A. Excerpts from MEA Annual report wrt Bhutan

India shares a close relationship with Bhutan encompassing mutual trust and friendship in the political arena and mutually beneficial economic cooperation.

As part of the close bilateral cooperation, India continues to be the major contributor to Bhutan’s five-year’s plans, the first of which commenced in 1961. The Eighth 0ive year plan (1 July 1997- 30 June 2002) is currently under implementation. The Government of India has provided assistance of Rs. 900 crores. Discussions are currently in progress for Indian development assistance to Bhutan for their Ninth Five Year Plan.

Three Units of the 60 MW Kurichu Hydel Project being implemented with Indian assistance, commenced operation in September, 2001, while the fourth Unit will come on stream next year. Good progress was also made on the 1020 MW Tala Hydroelectric Project also being undertaken with Indian assistance.

The year was marked by continuing close interaction between India and Bhutan. The Health Minister of Bhutan Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup paid an official visit to India from 4 -9 April 2001.

The Crown Prince of Bhutan Dasho Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck paid an official visit from 20-31 August 2001 during which he called on the President, Minister of External Affairs and Minister of State for External Affairs. He also visited selected premier defence and civilian Institutions in Dehradun, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore.

Foreign Secretary Smt Chokila Iyer, visited Bhutan from 7-9 May 2001 as part of the regular process of consultations between the two countries. During the visit the Foreign Secretary had an audience with His Majesty the King of Bhutan and had a wide range of talks on issues of bilateral interest.

Bhutanese 0oreign Minister Lyonpo Jigme Y. Thinley, visited India from 15-22 October 2001 in connection with the inauguration of Bhutanese exhibition entitled “The Living Religious and Cultural Traditions of Bhutan” in New Delhi. The exhibition was jointly inaugurated in New Delhi on 17 October 2001 by the Bhutanese Foreign Minister and Minister of State for Culture, Smt. Maneka Gandhi. The Kolkata leg of the exhibition was jointly inaugurated by the Bhutanese Home Minister and the Chief Minister of West Bengal on 1 December 2001.

Bhutanese Foreign Secretary Ugyen Tshering visited India from 29 October to 1 November 2001 for Development Cooperation talks between the two countries which were focussed on the allocation of funds for the Eighth Plan of Bhutan and the preliminary discussions on Indian assistance to the Ninth Plan of Bhutan (2002-2007).

The two Governments continued to be in close touch with each other on the presence of UL0A-Bodo militants in Southern Bhutan. The Government of Bhutan reiterated that they would not allow their territory to be misused against the interests of India. In June 2001 Royal Government of Bhutan reached an understanding with UL0A militants to close down four of their camps in Bhutan by the end of December 2001 and to hold discussions thereafter, on winding down the remaining camps. This understanding was endorsed by the National Assembly which also reiterated that military action would be taken if the understanding was not implemented within the agreed time frame. The four camps are since reported to have been closed.

B. Details of Incoming Visits by Heads of State / Heads of Government / Vice Presidents / Foreign Ministers and Equivalent to India in 2001