Taking into considerations the latest economic crisis in Bhutan caused by withdrawal of four subsidies by the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Druk National Congress (DNC) and Bhutan National Democratic Party (BNDP) have urged the Indian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Salman Khurdhid, to strengthen the Indo-Bhutan relations.
Leaders of both the parties urged the Indian minister, who arrived in Nepal for an official visit, by submitting a joint memorandum on Tuesday.
“Any policy measures adopted by the governments of Bhutan and India should be in long-term interest of common people of both the countries,” said the memorandum, signed by DNC President Kesang Lhendup and BNDP Chief Executive Dr DNS Dhakal.
They appealed that India should maintain the existing arrangement and continue providing subsidies to Bhutan on essential commodities as it has been doing since the day Bhutan embarked upon the socio-economic development plan and examine the future relationship with Bhutan in the overall interest of two peoples.
Furthermore, the parties also asked the Indian minister to assist in dignified repatriation of willing exiled Bhutanese from Nepal.
Minister Khurshid on Tuesday wrapped up his one-day visit to Nepal saying that he is ready to extend all necessary cooperation required to make the Constituent Assembly elections a success.
