External affairs minister SM Krishna on Friday wrapped up his two-day "rewarding" visit to Bhutan with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under which scholarships will be provided to Bhutanese students to study at prestigious universities in India. Before emplaning for Delhi after his first visit abroad as foreign minister, Krishna expressed satisfaction over his discussions with King Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, prime minister Jigmi Thinley and his counterpart Ugyen Tshering.
"All the discussions were friendly and covered various aspects of our close relationship and how to take it forward," he said. Under the MoU, India will provide Rs one crore over the next five years to talented and meritorious Bhutanese nationals for undertaking studies, at graduate or under-graduate level, in prestigious Indian institutions.
Tshering, who inked the agreement on behalf of his government, described it as another milestone in the bilateral cooperation between India and Bhutan. During his meetings, Krishna also discussed important issues such as India's commitments including financial aid under Bhutan's 10th Five Year Plan, export of 10,000 MW of hydel power to India by 2020 and other bilateral matters.
Krishna was accompanied by foreign secretary Shivshankar Menon and other senior officials of the ministry. Describing the relationship as "unique" due to its "trouble-free" nature, Krishna said "the principle of mutual benefit guides our relationship. The most outstanding example of this is our collaboration in the hydel-power sector. The beginning was modest. But success gave us confidence."
"I have had the most rewarding and pleasant stay in Bhutan...before I conclude I must say that Bhutan's natural beauty is captivating and the affection and graciousness of its people touching," Krishna said. While India complimented Bhutan for the smooth transition from monarchy to the democratic process, Bhutan reciprocated by saying that it was rejoiced over the "resounding mandate" to the Congress-led alliance in the recent Lok Sabha polls.
At present, Indian financial assistance to Bhutan is to the tune of Rs 4500 crore for various projects under Plan and Non-Plan expenditures. Besides working on the construction of a medical college in Thimphu with the expertise of AIIMS, the Indian side was in the process of giving ambulances to each of the 20 Bhutanese districts. There is also a plan to construct a 18 km-long railway line between Hashimara in West Bengal to Phuentsholing in Bhutan.
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