India- Bhutan discuss ways to strengthen cross-border ties

Guwahati (Assam) : With an aim to exchange ideas on trade, commerce, hydro-power and tourism, a delegation from Bhutan's Royal Institute for Governance and Strategic Studies (RIGSS) recently attended an interactive meet in Guwahati.

The 35-member visiting delegation of senior policy makers from Bhutan, led by Chewang Rinzin, Dy Chamberlain to the King of Bhutan and Tashi Wangyal, Member of Parliament from Bhutan, interacted with a select crowd at the Asian Confluence Center, comprising senior policy makers, artists, activists, media and heads of various institutions.

"Given the close ties of friendship between the Bhutan and India, we thought it is important to get to know the northeast India state better to look forward for better collaboration, interaction. So, that the basic objective of this tour," said Rinzin.

A presentation was also made on the upcoming connectivity projects under the auspices of Bhutan, Bangladesh, India and Nepal to forge institutional linkages to forge a "Third Space" that can lead to increased people-to-people contacts.

A pan Northeast India delegation will visit Bhutan next month to discuss tourism development with stakeholders and policy makers in Bhutan.

"Entrepreneur should go to Bhutan and explore it. Bhutan is now more develop in per capita terms in India much more than Assam. There is lot of opportunity, they have a good system. It's a democratic monarchy and corruption free. There is lots of opportunity entrepreneurship even they should come here and explore it," said Manoj Das, Director, IIE, Indian institute of Entrepreneur.

India shares a 699-km-long border with Bhutan especially through the northeast region, and both governments have been working consistently to develop better infrastructure and connectivity so as to facilitate trade and development.

The two sides are keen to further strengthen trade relations and explore the maximum potential to expand bilateral trade.