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Visit of His Majesty The King of Bhutan to India (November 03 – 10, 2023)

November 02, 2023

The King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, accompanied by senior officials of the Royal Government of Bhutan, will be on an official visit to India from 03-10 November 2023.​ During the visit, His Majesty the King of Bhutan will meet the Prime Minister of India. The External Affairs Minister and senior officials of Government of India will call on His Majesty the King of Bhutan. His Majesty the King of Bhutan will also visit the states of Assam and Maharashtra. India and Bhutan enjoy unique ties of friendship and cooperation, which are characterized by understanding and mutual trust. The visit would provide an opportunity to both the sides to review the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation and to further advance the exemplary bilateral partnership, across diverse sectors New Delhi November 02, 2023

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Joint Statement on Visit of His Majesty The King of Bhutan to India

Developer 04/05/2023 HEADLINE STORIES Leave a comment 8,809 Views

A Framework for Expanded India-Bhutan Partnership

1. At the invitation of the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, The King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck paid an official visit to India from 03-05 April, 2023. His Majesty was accompanied by H.E. Lyonpo Dr. Tandi Dorji, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, and senior officials of the Royal Government of Bhutan.

2. During the visit, His Majesty The King of Bhutan met with the President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu and held talks with the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and senior officials called on His Majesty The King of Bhutan.

3. India and Bhutan share an exemplary bilateral relationship characterized by trust, goodwill and mutual understanding at all levels, strong bonds of friendship and close people-to-people contacts. During the visit, His Majesty The King of Bhutan and Prime Minister of India held discussions on the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation and on regional and global issues of mutual interest. The two leaders expressed satisfaction on the manner in which India and Bhutan assisted each other in the fight against the COVID pandemic. They agreed to closely work together for progress and development in the region as economies recover from the pandemic.

4. His Majesty The King of Bhutan shared valuable perspective and insights on the significant reforms process underway in Bhutan. His Majesty conveyed appreciation for the invaluable support that the Government of India continues to provide for Bhutan’s socio-economic development. He expressed satisfaction on Bhutan’s expanding partnership with India, including in the new frontiers of Space, Startups and STEM education.

5. In his interaction with His Majesty The King of Bhutan, Prime Minister reaffirmed India’s deep commitment to unique ties of friendship and cooperation with Bhutan and reiterated continued and full support to the socio-economic development in Bhutan based on the priorities of the Royal Government and as per the vision of His Majesty.

6. The meeting between His Majesty The King of Bhutan and the President of India was held in a warm and cordial atmosphere, reflecting the spirit of the exceptionally close and friendly ties between India and Bhutan.

7. His Majesty interacted with Indian business leaders and explored new avenues for expanding economic and commercial ties between India and Bhutan.

8. Guided by the philosophy of Gross National Happiness, and in consonance with the priorities of the people and Royal Government of Bhutan, both sides recognized that the long-standing Bhutan-India development partnership, is reflective of strong ties of friendship and cooperation based on trust and mutual understanding.

9. To take this exemplary development partnership forward, the Indian side agreed to step up support for Bhutan’s 13 th Five Year Plan which was welcomed by the Bhutanese side.

10. The Bhutanese side also noted with satisfaction the timely flow of funds from GOI to ensure smooth and uninterrupted progress of projects under the 12 th Five Year Plan with about 90 percent of India’s committed plan assistance to Bhutan already released.

11. The Bhutanese side expressed appreciation to the Indian side for extending Standby Credit Facility at reduced interest rate and extended settlement period, and for providing an additional currency swap support of USD 200 Million.

12. The Indian side agreed to positively consider Bhutan’s request to extend an additional Standby Credit Facility (SCF) for a period of five years.

13. Hydropower cooperation has been the cornerstone of India-Bhutan bilateral economic partnership. It has been a productive arrangement for both countries whereby Bhutan receives steady stream of revenue from the sale of power from hydropower plants which have been jointly developed and India benefits from the assured supply of energy. The role of hydropower projects in helping the Bhutanese economy during the COVID-19 inducted global economic slowdown was noted in this context.

14. Both sides reviewed various elements of bilateral hydropower cooperation and expressed satisfaction that projects totaling 2136 MW, which have been jointly set up, are functioning well. Both sides also welcomed the recent handing over of 720 MW Mangdechhu HEP to Bhutan.

15. In terms of ongoing projects, both sides reiterated their commitment to find a technically sound and cost-effective way forward for Punatsangchhu-I HEP.

16. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the progress in construction of the 1020 MW Punatshangchhu-II HEP and looked forward to its commissioning by early 2024. Both sides noted that the tariff discussions had been initiated and agreed to expeditiously conclude the tariff protocol for this project.

17. On the periodic revision of tariff of Chhukha HEP, the Bhutanese side welcomed India’s offer to revise the tariff to Rs. 3 per unit, which represents a 17% increase over the earlier tariff.

18. The Bhutanese side thanked India for enabling the import of power from India to meet Bhutan’s energy deficit during the winter months. The Indian side agreed to positively consider Bhutan’s request for sale of power into the Indian Energy Exchange from the 64 MW Basochhu HEP.

19. Both sides reiterated the importance of cooperation in hydropower sector and the urgent need to review and finalize modalities for new projects including Sankosh HEP.

20. The Indian side assured consideration on Bhutan’s request for access to financing and market for power sale for new and upcoming hydropower projects in Bhutan.

21. It was also agreed to extend India-Bhutan energy partnership in the area of non-hydro renewables, such as solar and wind as well as in green initiatives for e-mobility. The Indian side assured necessary technical and financial assistance for projects in these areas.

22. On the proposed trilateral hydropower cooperation among Bhutan, Bangladesh and India, both sides expressed their commitment towards greater sub-regional cooperation, including in the energy sector, which would lead to increased inter-linkages between the economies for mutual benefit of all stakeholders.

23. The two sides welcomed the growing strength of bilateral trade and economic ties.

24. To further expand bilateral cooperation on trade, technology, cross-border connectivity, and mutual investments, following was agreed upon:

• To work on long-term sustainable arrangements for export of agricultural commodities from Bhutan and import of essential agricultural commodities from India.
• To explore long-term bilateral arrangements for assured supply of critical commodities to Bhutan such as petroleum, fertilizers, and coal.
• To consider setting up the first Integrated Check Post along India-Bhutan border near Jaigaon and Phuntsholing, which is the busiest trading point between India and Bhutan, through GOI support along with development of mirror facilities on the Bhutanese side.
• To take forward the project on the proposed cross border rail link connecting Kokrajhar in Assam to Gelephu in Bhutan through GOI support in consultation with the Bhutanese side based on the engineering and technical survey completed by Indian Railways. This will be a historic project as it will be the first ever rail link between India and Bhutan and will enhance the regional connectivity infrastructure as well.
• To expedite the operationalization of the Third International Internet Gateway for Bhutan, for which, GOI is extending a concessional rate to reduce the cost of operations of the gateway.
• To take forward development of inland waterways connectivity to enhance bilateral and regional trade.
• To work towards opening of additional Foreigners Check posts between Bhutan and Assam to facilitate the entry and exit of third country nationals between India and Bhutan by land route.

25. In terms of new areas of partnership which now encompass Startups, Space and STEM education, both sides welcomed the exceptional progress made in the space sector cooperation, including the recent launch of the first satellite jointly developed by India and Bhutan and the inauguration of the satellite’s ground earth station in Thimphu, and agreed:

• To deepen the partnership in the space technology sector by finalizing a Joint Plan of Action expeditiously; and
• To strengthen cooperation on skill development and education, keeping the future of youth at the heart of bilateral cooperation.

26. The visit of His Majesty The King of Bhutan reinforced the longstanding tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries. His Majesty’s visit also provided an opportunity for both countries to review the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation and to advance our close bilateral partnership.

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Bhutan King To Visit India Today For 3 Days

During the king's visit, both sides will review the bilateral cooperation between the two countries and further advance the bilateral partnership.

The Bhutan king will be accompanied by Bhutan's Foreign Minister Dr Tandi Dorji.

Bhutan King Jigme Wangchuk is set to commence his 3-day trip to India from today.

The Bhutan king will be accompanied by Bhutan's Foreign Minister Dr Tandi Dorji and other senior officials, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

The visit of King Jigme Wangchuk will give both India and Bhutan a chance to evaluate the whole range of bilateral cooperation as the two countries have special friendship and cooperation which is defined by mutual trust and understanding.

The Bhutan King's visit comes at the invitation of President Droupadi Murmu.

His visit is in keeping with the long-standing tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries and during his visit, he will meet President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and senior officials will also call on the King of Bhutan.

India has long been Bhutan's top trading partner and continues to be the primary source of investments there.

In November 2021, the Indian government formalised the opening of seven new trade routes for Bhutan's bilateral and transit trade with India, new market access was provided for allowing the formal export of 12 agri-products from Bhutan to India, and various special exceptions/quotas for export are also provided.

India has been extending economic assistance to Bhutan's socio-economic development since the early 1960s when Bhutan launched its Five Year Plans.

For the 12th Five Year Plan, India assisted Bhutan with Rs 4500 crore for various multi-sectoral project-tied assistance, small development projects, Direct Budgetary Support, etc.

In line with our 'Neighbourhood First Policy', new market access has been opened for five agri-commodities from Bhutan to India (Areca nut, Mandarin, Apple, Potato, and Ginger), and three commodities from India to Bhutan (Tomato, Onion, and Okra).

The unique relationship between India and Bhutan has been preserved by a custom of frequent high-level exchanges between the two nations. It is important to note that some of the high-profile visits will be made by prominent individuals, such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August 2019 and Foreign Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in 2019 and April 2022.

Moreover, in January 2023, Bhutan was also visited by Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra.

Earlier in February 2023, a Parliamentary Delegation from Bhutan led by Wangchuk Namgyel, Speaker of the National Assembly of Bhutan called on President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Welcoming the delegation, the President said that we deeply value the multifaceted and unique friendship between India and Bhutan.

The President noted that this year Bhutan would graduate from the Least developed countries (LDC) group of countries and embark on the path of becoming a High Income Economy by 2034.

In line with India-Bhutan unique and special relations, India ensured a continuous supply of trade and essential items to Bhutan, despite COVID-19-related lockdowns. In special assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic - 13 consignments of medical supplies, the first country to receive Covishield Vaccines.

The revised Bilateral Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit between India and Bhutan came into effect in 2017 and would be valid for ten years.

The basic framework of India-Bhutan relations is the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949 between the two countries, which was renewed in February 2007. The bilateral ties have been advanced by regular high-level exchanges between the two countries.

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Moreover, India is foraying into new avenues of bilateral cooperation with Bhutan such as Space Cooperation, Smart Agriculture, Youth and Sports, startups, Renewable energy and Digital Development, to help the Royal Government of Bhutan realize its vision of prosperity for all.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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PM Modi attends special dinner hosted by Bhutan King| Photos

B hutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck hosted a special dinner for Prime Minister Modi during his recent visit to the Himalayan country recently. Pictures from the special dinner hosted for the PM showcased the friendship and camaraderie shared between the two leaders.

At the private dinner hosted at the Lingkana Palace, the entire family of the king of Bhutan, including Queen Jetsun Pema and their three children, Jigme Namgyel, Jigme Ugyen, and Sonam Yangden were present.

Pictures from the dinner also showed PM Modi interacting with the two young princes while Princess Sonam cradled in Queen Pema's lap.

In other photos, the Prime Minister was seen along with the children of Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

PM Modi was also conferred with the ‘Order of Druk Gyalpo’ during his visit to the Himalayan kingdom. He became the first foreign dignitary and the fourth person overall to receive the honour. The ‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo’ is at the pinnacle of the honour system in Bhutan. PM Modi was given the honour for his “outstanding contribution to the growth of India-Bhutan relations.”

Following the prime minister visit to Bhutan, Bhutanese King Wangchuck termed him as an ‘exceptional leader’.

In a video message, King Wangchuk said, “Under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, India has not only achieved remarkable success in the past decade, but also paved the way for a promising and prosperous future. We applaud and rejoice in India's accomplishments. Countries require exceptional leaders to advance and flourish, yet such leaders are rare. To find an exceptional leader must possess compassion, a deep dedication to the country, and a willingness to devote themselves entirely to the service of the country.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also thanked Bhutan King Wangchuck for the special gesture. During his State visit to Bhutan, he also inaugurated Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck Mother and Child Hospital with his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay.

(With inputs from ANI)

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Amid border talks with China, why Bhutan king’s visit to India is significant

Bhutan king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck kickstarts his eight-day official trip to India on Friday. The visit, which offers opportunity to both sides to ‘advance the exemplary bilateral partnership’ as per MEA, comes against the backdrop of Thimphu’s seemingly growing ties with China

Bhutan king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck begins his eight-day official visit to India on Friday (3 November). He is meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and senior officials of the Indian government during the visit, according to a statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

“India and Bhutan enjoy unique ties of friendship and cooperation, which are characterised by understanding and mutual trust. The visit would provide an opportunity to both sides to review the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation and to further advance the exemplary bilateral partnership, across diverse sectors,” the statement read.

King Wangchuck, who will reportedly be accompanied by Queen Jetsun Pema and their two sons, will also travel to Assam and Maharashtra during his official visit.

Why is the Bhutanese monarch’s India visit significant? Let’s take a closer look.

A glimpse at India’s relations with Bhutan

India and Bhutan have shared a cordial friendship for years. This “special relationship” is governed by the Indo-Bhutan Friendship Treaty of 1949, which was later updated in 2007.

As per the MEA, this treaty is the “basic framework” of India and Bhutan’s relations. It lays emphasis on “perpetual peace and friendship, free trade and commerce, and equal justice to each other’s citizens” between India and the Himalayan kingdom, reported ANI.

Article 2 of the treaty, which earlier stated that Bhutan would be guided by India “in regard to its external relations”, was revised in 2007. It now says that the two sides will cooperate “closely with each other on issues relating to their national interests”.

The article also states that neither the Bhutanese government nor its Indian counterpart shall allow the use of its territory for “activities harmful to the national security and interest of the other”, as per Deccan Herald (DH).

India and Bhutan had established formal diplomatic relations in 1968.

As Bhutan’s foreign ministry mentioned, India is not only Thimphu’s “main development partner” but also its top trade partner.

When the Bhutanese monarch visited India in April this year, the two countries decided to enhance cooperation in several areas such as hydropower, trade and space.

According to a Financial Express report, measures to facilitate sustainable trade, while also exploring collaboration on start-ups, STEM education, and space would be on the agenda during the Bhutan king’s visit on Friday.

King of #Bhutan to visit India from November 3 to 10. In an official statement, EAM said that the King of Bhutan will meet PM @narendramodi during the visit. @MEAIndia | @IndianDiplomacy | @Indiainbhutan pic.twitter.com/2SHXxdKlh8 — All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) November 2, 2023

Bhutan’s border talks with China

The monarch’s trip to India comes weeks after Bhutan and China held the 25th round of boundary talks in Bejing. A delegation led by Bhutanese foreign minister Tandi Dorji met China’s foreign vice-minister Sun Weidong on 24 October where the two sides signed a cooperation agreement on “Responsibilities and Functions of the Joint Technical Team (JTT) on the Delimitation and Demarcation of the Bhutan-China Boundary”, as per a joint statement.

In a separate meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing on 23 October, Dorji said Thimphu was ready to conclude the boundary negotiations and ramp up the process to set up diplomatic ties with China.

Bhutan does not have diplomatic relations with China currently.

The Himalayan nation has also held 13 Expert Group Meetings (EGMs) so far with China to resolve the border dispute, of which three were conducted this year alone. In the last meeting in August, the countries decided to expedite steps to implement the “three-step roadmap” agreed upon in October 2021 to resolve the border issue. They also set up a joint technical team which held its first meeting around the time.

Bhutan and China initiated boundary talks in 1984 and have since focused on mainly three disputed areas — Jakarlung and Pasamlung areas in north Bhutan, and the Doklam area in west Bhutan.

A source recently told Newsweek that the joint technical team from Bhutan and China will work on “demarcating” the disputed territories that are to be “exchanged on the ground”. “Bhutan can’t establish direct diplomatic ties with Beijing until the border dispute is resolved,” the source added.

India and Bhutan are also the only two countries with which Beijing is yet to resolve its boundary disputes.

Why these boundary talks matter to India

Bhutan’s border talks with China hold strategic and security interests for New Delhi. The Doklam plateau, which India considers an undisputed territory of Bhutan, is of strategic importance because of its proximity to Siliguri Corridor.

Also known as Chicken’s Neck, the Siliguri Corridor is a 22km stretch connecting the Indian mainland to the Northeast. It also links India with Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.

There are concerns in New Delhi that a border deal between Thimphu and Beijing could include swapping Doklam – located close to the tri-junction between India, Bhutan and China – for disputed territories in the north. This trijunction point lies at a spot called Batang La. China wants to shift this point about 7 km south of Batang La to a peak called Mount Gipmochi. However, New Delhi is opposed to the move as that would mean the entire Doklam plateau would be under Beijing’s control.

With China pushing Bhutan to establish diplomatic ties and the two countries moving closer to settling their decades-old boundary dispute, India is wary and monitoring the developments closely.

Speaking to South China Morning Post (SCMP) , Jagannath Panda, head of the Stockholm Centre for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs at the Institute for Security and Development Policy in Sweden, said the warming of ties between China and Bhutan was “a severe strategic setback” to India’s Himalayan security undertaking.

Moreover, Bhutan will need to change its policy of not having formal diplomatic ties with any permanent United Nations Security Council members if it wants to establish diplomatic relations with China.

Robert Barnett, founder and former director of Columbia University’s modern Tibetan studies programme, told SCMP in October, “So far I think we have not seen any serious indications that India is unhappy with Bhutan’s moves on this issue (securing a border deal with China), and it seems unlikely that Bhutan would act without having support for its plans from India,” he said.

“But I think it’s clear that the Chinese side stands to gain from any flux or uncertainty in relations between India and the other Himalayan states. When China decided to resort to the exceptionally heavy pressure tactics it is using on Bhutan, it must have been aware that this could unsettle the existing alliances in the region, and perhaps that is its aim.”

With inputs from agencies

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Bhutan king on 3-day visit to India amid Thimphu-Beijing border talks

The monarch is accompanied by tandi dorji, bhutan’s foreign minister as well as several senior officials from the government.

Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk began his three-day visit to India on Monday even as his country nears a settlement on its border dispute with China. 

The monarch is accompanied by Tandi Dorji, Bhutan’s Foreign Minister as well as several senior officials from the government. During his time in India, the King of Bhutan is expected to meet with President Murmu, Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. 

“The visit would provide an opportunity to both the sides to review the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation and to further advance the close bilateral partnership, including economic and development cooperation," according to India’s Ministry of External Affairs. 

Although India’s foreign ministry argues that such a visit is simply in keeping with past engagements with Bhutan, the larger political backdrop is hard to miss. Bhutan and China have been negotiating a border settlement to put an end to the disputed boundary claims between the two countries. Bhutan’s Prime Minister Lobgay Tsering also indicated that both sides were making progress and hoped to demarcate the border in the near future. 

However, this development has triggered some anxiety in particular sections of popular opinion, with some believing that Bhutan may strike a border deal with China that endangers India’s security interests. However, others have pointed to statements by senior Bhutanese officials that firmly indicate that no decision will be made on the Doklam border area, which is of strategic value to India, without a trilateral discussion. 

“Bhutan and China have been having their border negotiations for nearly four decades now. The writing in the wall has always been clear - Bhutan is keen on closing its border disputes. But none of these developments will take place without India being aware of them, or without Indian sensitivities being taken into consideration. The controversy on Bhutan and China striking a deal behind India’s back seems like an exaggeration, in my opinion," says Aditya Gowdara Shivamurthy, Junior Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, a think-tank. 

Bhutan and China share a disputed border in mainly two areas. In the western parts of the country, there is the disputed tri-junction with India at Doklam, which was the site of a military standoff in 2017. In the north, Bhutan shares a border with Tibet. Jakarlung and Pasamlung valleys in the north are also part of the dispute with China, In 2020, China also claimed that Sakteng wildlife sanctuary, in the eastern reaches of Bhutan, was also a disputed territory. 

“As the King has the power to morally guide the country’s foreign policy, and is supreme commander in chief, it can be expected that negotiations will cover the border dispute. But there are certainly other issues too that Bhutan would want to discuss," adds Shivamurthy about the monarch’s visit. 

“The King’s visit is likely to cover this multifaceted relationship. While border disputes with China are certainly a part of it, there are also other issues. Cooperation on hydropower electricity, and seeking assistance for the 13th Five Year Plan (2023-2028). Bhutan is also undergoing massive political, administrative and economic reforms. It is only logical for Bhutan to reach out to its long-standing development partner," he concludes.

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Bhutan King Wangchuck to begin eight-day India visit on November 3

NEW DELHI: Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck will begin an eight-day visit to India on November 3. This will be the king's sixth visit to India after his coronation in November 2008. 

The Bhutanese King had earlier visited India in April this year, which generated considerable interest, particularly due to the increased attention on the Doklam issue. Doklam is an area disputed between China and Bhutan located near their tri-junction with India.

During his visit, the King will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as stated by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Additionally, the Ministry of External Affairs mentioned that the External Affairs Minister and other senior Indian government officials will call on the King of Bhutan during his visit. His itinerary also includes visits to the Indian states of Assam and Maharashtra.

"India and Bhutan enjoy unique ties of friendship and cooperation, which are characterised by understanding and mutual trust. The visit would be an opportunity for both sides to review the gamut of bilateral cooperation and to advance the exemplary bilateral partnership, across diverse sectors," according to a statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

India-Bhutan border shares an international border that is 699 km long and adjoins the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Sikkim. Bhutan has time and again reiterated that it stands by India’s security, and will not take any steps that will compromise India’s security.

However, Bhutan and China have been holding border talks since 1984, and in 2021, they agreed to initiate a three-step measure to resolve the boundary dispute.

India remains an important stakeholder in the border dispute between Bhutan and China, given the importance of the trijunction to India’s security. There have been reports suggesting that China has been insisting on swapping territory with Bhutan by offering 495 sq km in the disputed Jakarlung and Pasamlung valleys in the north with 269 sq km in the west at the Doklam trijunction that will provide China strategic control over Chumbi Valley having implications for India’s security.

It may be noted that China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently held talks with his Bhutanese counterpart Dr Tandi Dorji in Beijing recently.

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Bhutan King's 8-day official visit to India commences with arrival in Assam

• Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma received the Bhutan King at the Guwahati airport On Friday.

Guwahati, Nov 03 (ANI): Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck receives a warm welcome from Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at the Guwahati airport during his first official visit to Assam, on Friday. (ANI Photo)(Arindam Bagchi Twitter)

Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck receives a warm welcome from Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and other officials at the Guwahati airport during his first official visit to Assam on Friday.(ANI)

King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck arrives to offer prayers at the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam.(PTI)

King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck offers prayers at the Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam.(PTI)

Himanta Biswa Sarma said he is "elated" to welcome Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. (PTI)

Taking to X, Sarma stated, "On behalf of the people of Assam, I am elated to welcome His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan. Under the guidance of our Hon'ble Prime Minister, we look forward to the strengthening of the special relationship between our two countries." (PTI)

Taking to X, Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi stated, "A warm welcome to His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on his first official visit to Assam. Welcomed by CM @himantabiswa at the Guwahati airport." (PTI)

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