Guwahati, Feb. 2 (PTI): A Bhutanese consulate opened here today and was jointly inaugurated by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and the Himalayan country’s Foreign Affairs Minister Lyonpo Damcho Dorji.
Sonowal said the opening of the consulate general’s office will not only benefit Bhutanese and NE tourists, pilgrims, students and businessmen but also strengthen the friendship between the people of Assam and neighbouring states and Bhutan.
“I am particularly happy that Bhutan has opened its consulate in Guwahati this year which commemorates the golden jubilee of establishment of formal diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan. We look forward to jointly celebrating our friendship with a series of activities in India and Bhutan,” he said.
Thanking Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay for accepting the invitation to attend the maiden Global Investors’ Summit ‘Advantage Assam’, Sonowal said Tobgay’s visit to the state last year shows the importance of bi-lateral relations both Bhutan and Assam attach to their respective neighbours.
Stating that India and Bhutan share exemplary bilateral relations which are unique and special, he said that the deep-rooted relation is evident from the fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose Bhutan to be his first foreign country visit after assuming office in May 2014.
Modi’s announcement of ‘Act East Policy’ has repositioned the north east region at the centre of India’s relations with ASEAN and BBIN (Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal) countries.
He also commented that the historical and cultural linkages between Assam and Bhutan have made both the geographical entities their respective natural friends and partners. Thanking Tobgay and Dorji for announcing a direct flight service between India-Bhutan and Singapore, Sonowal said that the move will propel inter-regional growth and connectivity in the backdrop of Act East Policy.
Dorjee said the inauguration of Bhutanese consulate here marked the collective commitment and unique desire of both Assam and Bhutan to strengthen socio, economic and cultural ties between the two entities.
Bhutan, he said, is keenly looking forward to deepen the bilateral relations between the two countries and carry forward the mutual interests and people to people ties between India and Bhutan.
Its decision of introducing direct Drukair flight between India, Bhutan and Singapore will take the bilateral relations to the next stage, Dorjee added.
