US envoy to India asks for repatriation of exiled Bhutanese

Thimphu, April 18: The US ambassador to India Dr. David C Mulford completed his three-day goodwill visit to Bhutan on Thursday in the efforts to build relations between the two countries asking Bhutan to repatriate its citizens.

During his meeting with the government ministers and officials, he stressed the need to build diplomatic relations between the two countries, as both would get advantage from this relation.

He met king father Jigme Singye Wangchuk on April 17 and appreciated his efforts towards 'carefully thought out process' of democratization.

The diplomat also stressed on the role of independent and active media environment to disseminate diverse and correct information regarding the democratization process.

The diplomat also expressed hope that Bhutan would take back its citizens at the earliest possible so that the prolonged problems would get solution.

He said, as large number of the exiled Bhutanese would be taken to the US for resettlement, Bhutan should repatriate its remaining citizens.

During his stay here Mulford met the Prime Minister Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, who also holds the portfolio as Foreign Minister, Home Minister Lyonpo Jigme Y Thinley, Trade and Industry Minister Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba and other senior government officials. Bhutan News Service