Foreign Policy 2019 - SRIRAM's IAS

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.”