Bhutan PM Lotay Tshering arrives for talks with Modi

This handout photograph released by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on December 27, 2018 shows Bhutan's Prime Minister Lotay Tshering (centre L) being greeted by an Indian ministry official upon his arrival in New Delhi at the start of an official visit. (Photo by Handout/various sources/AFP)/"AFP PHOTO/Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)"


Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering arrived in New Delhi on Thursday on a three-day visit during which he will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on bilateral issues, including the Himalayan nation’s five-year development plan.

Tshering, who is on his maiden overseas visit since taking charge last month, was received by Minister of State for Finance Shiv Pratap Shukla.

“Time-tested relationship. Dr Lotay Tshering @PMBhutan received warmly by MoS Finance @BJPShivPShukla on arrival in Delhi for a 3-day State Visit at the invitation of PM @narendramodi. #IndiaBhutan celebrate 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations this year,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.


The visiting dignitary will be accorded a ceremonial reception on Friday before he goes into talks with Modi.

Sources said a host of issues, including Bhutan’s five-year development plan, were likely to be discussed during the visit.

The MEA said the two sides were likely to discuss all aspects of bilateral relations, including high-level exchanges, people-to-people ties, and economic, development and hydropower cooperation.

Tshering’s visit comes a month after Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale’s official trip to Bhutan.