Visit: India’s home minister Rajnath Singh and the state minister of commerce and industry, Nirmala Sitharaman called on lyonchoen Tshering Tobgay yesterday evening in New Delhi, India.

Lyonchoen is on a visit to Goa, upon an invitation from India Foundation, as the chief guest of the second India Ideas Conclave. Lyonchoen Tshering Tobgay will address the Conclave themed, “learning from civilization” on November 15.

The two leaders discussed issues to strengthen cooperation in maintaining peace and security in the border areas of the two countries. They expressed satisfaction with the existing mechanisms between the two countries on border management.

During the meeting, lyonchoen extended an invitation to the home minister to visit Bhutan at a convenient time.

Lyonchoen also lauded the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal (BBIN) initiative of bringing the sub-regional closer and thanked the government of India for initiating the SAARC Satellite. The SAARC Satellite is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pet space project to promote interaction and cooperation in areas of telecommunication, telemedicine, education and security, among others.

The two agreed that India and Bhutan must nurture and continue to build on the already existing friendly relations for which regular dialogues and exchanges is crucial.

During the meeting with Nirmala Sitharaman later in the evening, Lyonchoen and the minister discussed ways to strengthen trade and commerce between the two countries and also facilitation of Bhutan’s trade within the region and outside.

“They discussed the Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit which is due for renewal in June 2016,” officails from the Prime Minister’s Office said. “They agreed to complete the discussions and sign the agreement within the timeframe.”

Lyonchhen invited the minister to visit Bhutan in April or May 2016 to sign the agreement.

Kinga Dema, New Delhi