New Delhi, August 10: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to pay an official visit to the Himalayan nation, Bhutan, during which various agreement between the educational institutions in both the neighbouring countries are expected to be inked in the midst of reports that numerous Bhutanese students pursuing their education in India have been refusing.
According to ANI news reports, Vijay Gokhale, the Indian foreign secretary, said a prelim area of focus of Modi’s visit will be the education and youth of Bhutan.
Gokhale said, “One of primary areas of focus is the youth of Bhutan. What we are expecting from the MoUs and Agreements, you will discover that the majority of them relates to the educational institutions in Bhutan and high-quality educational institutions in India particularly in science technology and mathematics.”
He added, “This is one of the very concrete ways in which we think we remedy the situation, besides, of course, making it easier for Bhutanese studying in India through giving of grants and such assistance which is continuing under our bilateral programmes.”
Gokhale has briefed a media conference on Modi’s visit to “trusted friend and neighbour” Bhutan from August 17 at an invitation extended by Bhutanese prime minister Lotay Tshering.
Upon visiting in Bhutan, the Indian prime minister will pay an official visit to one of the oldest Dzong in Simtokha Dzong. In addition, he will also bilateral talks with Tshering, followed by inking of the MoUs.
Gokhale said, “Modi will call on the leader of the opposition Dr Prema Gyamtsho, as well as the fourth King of Bhutan.” Modi will on September 18 address students at Bhutan’s Royal University.
Gokhale stated, “Our intention is to reach out to the youth of Bhutan and to directly convey to them our interest.”
India will offer transitional trade assistance facility worth Rs 400 crore over a five-year period in order to “encourage Bhutanese exporters to export more in India. Our objective is to diversify the relationship from simply being based on hydropower cooperation to other areas where we want to collaborate”.
Gokhale said, “Built at a cost of around 512 crores, this is the most cost-effective hydroelectric project in South Asia. It is built on 70 per cent loan and 30 per cent grant.”
He added the other vital aspect in Hydro field is to establishing of discussion on another major project that it the “Sankosh hydel project”.
Moreover, Bhutan and India will review security and defence matters, including the pertaining situation along the shared border between the two nations.