
Foreign Policy 2019
Jul 18, 2020
Foreign Policy 2019
Indo- Bhutan Relations
- PM Modi visit: Continuing India’s attempt to foster a strong relationship with its neighbors under the “Neighborhood First Policy,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bhutan for the second time on August 17-18.
- During the visit, PM Modi held a comprehensive discussion with Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering and reviewed the current status of the bilateral relationship.
- The two countries also signed 10 Memorandums of Undertaking (MoUs) to further boost the ties, with Modi having said that “Bhutan has a special place in the heart of 130 crores [1.3 billion] Indians.”
- New draft tourism policy: In a major shift in policy, Bhutan plans to levy charges on tourists from regional countries, including India, Bangladesh and the Maldives, who at present are exempted from any charges.
- According to the new policy, however, they would be charged a Sustainable Development Fee, which is yet to be determined, as well as a “permit processing fee.”