EAM S Jaishankar meets PM Lotay Tshering in Bhutan, discusses global scenario, bilateral cooperations

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, who is visiting Bhutan, held talks with the Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering on Friday and discussed the current global scenario along with the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

During the talks, Jaishankar informed the Prime Minister of the progress in the bilateral cooperation and development partnership. He arrived in Bhutan on an official visit on Friday.

"Held productive discussions with @FMBhutanTandi Dorji. Covered hydropower, connectivity, trade, space, health and digital issues. Jointly inaugurated two road projects and a bus terminal financed by India," Jaishankar wrote on Tweeter.

Earlier in the day, taking to Twitter, Jaishankar wrote, "Pleased to call on @PMBhutan Lotay Tshering. Exchanged views on current global and regional developments that impact us all. Apprised him of the progress in our bilateral cooperation, including our development partnership."

Before the visit, he said that he was looking forward to a productive trip and enhancing bilateral cooperation between India and Bhutan. "Delighted to be back in Bhutan. Good to see @FMBhutan Tandi Dorji. Look forward to a productive visit," Jaishankar tweeted.

He also shared photographs of his arrival here. Jaishankar is in Bhutan at the invitation of his Bhutanese counterpart Lyonpo Tandi Dorji, as per an official statement by India's External Affairs Ministry (MEA).

India and Bhutan share a unique and time-tested bilateral relationship, characterized by utmost trust, goodwill and mutual understanding, said the statement.

Jaishankar is Bhutan's first high-level visitor from abroad since March 2020. During the visit, the two sides will discuss all issues of mutual interest, including the upcoming high-level exchanges, economic development and hydro-power cooperation.

Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka, kicking off his three-day visit to Bangladesh and Bhutan from April 28-30. Notably, this is Jaishankar's first visit to Bangladesh in March 2021.

In Dhaka, Jaishankar called on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during his official visit to the country and also conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation to her to visit India later this year. EAM Jaishankar also exchanged views with the Bangladesh PM on bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest.

Jaishankar also met his counterpart, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, AK Abdul Momen and extended him an invitation to attend the next meeting of the Joint Consultative Commission to be held in India prior to the visit of PM Hasina.