IANS/New Delhi
India and Bhutan yesterday signed a dozen agreements on hydropower, civil aviation, health and IT after Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck held extensive talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The 29-year-old Bhutanese sovereign is on his first foreign visit since his formal coronation in November 2008. He arrived on a six-day visit on Monday morning.
Yesterday, the Bhutanese King began his programme with a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan. He then laid a wreath at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat.
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna called on the king at his suite in Taj Mahal Hotel after which he left for Hyderabad House in the heart of the city to meet the prime minister.
The delegation-level talks between the king and the prime minister were followed by more restricted consultations.
Thereafter, both sides signed 12 agreements which included a decision to prepare the detailed project report of three proposed hydropower projects and a reservoir project
India has already given assistance to build three major hydroelectric projects at Chukha, Kurichu and Tala. Besides, it is also helping in the construction of Punatsangchhu-1 project.
India gets a “substantial” part of the power generated from these projects, which have in fact led to the reversal of the balance of trade since 2006.
The king also met Vice President Hamid Ansari, ruling Congress Party chief Sonia Gandhi and opposition Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sushma Swaraj.
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