Bhutan-India to celebrate jubilee of Nehru’s visit

Siliguri, November 27: Agreement has reached between Bhutan and India authorities to jointly celebrate the golden jubilee of Jawaharlal Nehru’s first visit to Bhutan next year.

India’s first Prime Minister visited Bhutan in September 1958 that paved the beginning of a new relationship between these countries. The visit opened up the Bhutan to outside world, ended its century long isolation and delved the path to economic development.

The decision was taken during a meeting between the Indian and Bhutanese officials held in Thimphu last week.

The program details are yet to be chalked out but the members in the discussion said the celebrations will include exhibitions, discussions on several bilateral issues and cultural programs.

Indian delegation to finalize the plans was led by B. L. Meena, the divisional commissioner of Jalpaiguri division. Other members from Indian side attending the three-day long meeting include officials of the forest and police departments, the district magistrates of Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri — the two north Bengal districts that share the border with Bhutan.

The Bhutan delegation was represented by Daso Wangda, the deputy home secretary, Lt Col Tashi Dhendup of Royal Bhutan Army, representatives from the departments of mining, forests and environment and district officials of Samtse and Chukha. Bhutan News Service