Prime Minister Tobgay off to Delhi in his first foreign visit

Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay has left Paro for state visit to India – the first foreign travel he ever made after taking over the role of prime minister late last month.

According to Druk Air flight schedule, he took off from Paro Airport at 8:00 am local time and is scheduled to land in Delhi at 10:45 IST.

Unlike in the past, there were no officials, ministers and dignitaries at the airport to bid him bye. In a recent cabinet meeting, the cabinet had scrapped such provision in an attempt to decrease unwanted expenditures.

Tobgay is accompanied by his wife Aum Tashi Doma, Foreign Minister Lyonpo Rinzin Dorje, and senior government officials.

“During the visit, all areas of mutual interest including our political, security, developmental, economic and cultural cooperation, will be discussed,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs had said on Thursday.

“The visit is in conformity with the tradition of regular exchange of visits at the highest levels between India and Bhutan, and adds momentum to our time-tested and enduring relations,” the MEA said.

Bhutan’s foreign ministry has formally said nothing about the visit and the agenda on hand for discussion with Indian leadership.

During his six-day visit, he will hold talks with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh and senior union cabinet ministers including External Affairs, Finance and Home.

He will also have a joint meeting with business chambers Assocham, FICCI and CII and will also travel to Hyderabad on September 3, 2013 where he will visit the CII Green Business Centre and the IT Park at Madhapur.