Modi tells neighbours India will not be a big Bully

Thimphu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India is committed to good neighbourly relations and assured Bhutan that change in government will not alter the dynamics of India-Bhutan ties.

India has proposed new ideas for further enhancing cooperation with Bhutan while asserting that commitments made by the previous government will be fulfilled.

While addressing the Bhutan Parliament, Modi called the relations between the two nations historic adding, “Our hearts are always open for friendly relations with neighbours”.

On second day of his two-day visit to the Himalayan country, Modi said if India progresses, it will directly impact the development of its neighbours.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is accompanying Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bhutan on his maiden foreign visit, told reporters that the Indian side was “extremely satisfied” with the “extremely successful” visit.

“We reiterated that the commitments made by the previous government will be fulfilled. These commitments are made by a country to a country and not by government to government,” Swaraj said.

“Stability and development in India will help neighbours like Bhutan,” he said in his speech in Hindi. Modi has promised to help Bhutan in science and technology, “India’s satellite technology can be used for Bhutan’s development. Our space technology can bring both countries closer. We have decided to form an E-library network for Bhutan”.  

“He reiterated commitments made by the previous government regarding the Five Year Plan by saying that such commitments are not made by government to government but by country to country. We will fulfil commitments in toto,” Swaraj told reporters allaying fears that India would discontinue with subsidies on LPG.

She said Bhutan was selected for the Prime Minister’s first foreign visit as it is one of India’s “important neighbours”. The visit, Swaraj said, has reinforced relations between the two countries. Though it was a short visit, Modi was able to interact with the members of the Legislature, Judiciary and the Executive. Referring to the power projects being implemented in Bhutan, Swaraj said Modi was of the view that these projects should be completed in a speedy manner.

Modi has also proposed a sports meet of all Himalayan states and Bhutan. “I thought: can’t we do a special sports meet on a regular basis for all Himalayan states and Bhutan? Sportsman’s spirit brings happiness,” he said.

Modi while praising the Bhutan’s royal family for ushering in democracy said the country’s smooth transition “from political monarchy to a successful democracy is admirable”.

Recalling India’s historic ties with Bhutan, Modi said his government would work towards further strengthening the relations between the two neighbours.

Modi spoke on how the Himalayas brings the two nation together, calling it “our strength” he added that India and Bhutan sharing culture and traditions would prove beneficial for the youth.  “Terrorism divides and tourism unites. Bhutan has rich potential for tourism to grow,” he said. 

Modi had on Sunday vowed to nurture bilateral relations which he described as “B4B – Bharat for Bhutan and Bhutan for Bharat” as he held wide-ranging talks with Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and Tobgay.