PM travelling New Delhi today

On this first foreign travel since taking rein of the government, Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering is scheduled to fly to New Delhi today on the invitation of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

It was only Modi who sent congratulations note to Dr Tshering when he won the election. Other regional neighbours remained unaware of the political development in Bhutan. Modi called and congratulated Dr Tshering following day of the election.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Keshav Gokhale, who was in the country last month, on behalf of the Prime Minister of India, extended an invitation to Lyonchhen to visit India.

Dr Tshering has mentioned he intends to visit other neighbouring countries as well to boost Bhutan’s bilateral relations but has not given list of countries and time frame when he would go this.

Primary target to Dr Tshering’s visit is to secure financial support for its 12th five year plan that has outlay of Nu 310 billion. Bhutan intends to source at least 18% of the outlay from foreign assistance.