What is New 2004

Shri Shashank, Foreign Secretary of India was on an official visit to Bhutan from 25-28 March 2004. He was accompanied by his wife Smt. Kalpana, Shri Ranjit Rae, Joint Secretary (NB) and Shri Neeraj Srivastava, Director (FSO) from Ministry of External Affairs.

During the visit, Shri Shashank was granted an audience with His Majesty the King at Tashichho Dzong on 26 March. His Majesty and Their Majesties the Queens hosted a lunch for the delegation at the Dechencholing Palace. Shri Shashank also called on Prime Minister Lyonpo Jigmi Thinley, Foreign Minister Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk and Minister for Trade & Industry Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba. During the visit, he discussed bilateral and other issues of mutual interest. During the discussions, both sides expressed satisfaction at the progress being made in further developing our cordial and friendly relations. RGOB Foreign Minister and Ambassador hosted dinners for the delegation. The delegation also visited cultural and historical sites in Thimphu and Paro before departing on 28 March.

An Indian delegation led by Shri Ranjit Rae, Joint Secretary (NB) and comprising of senior officials from Ministry of Power, Central Electricity Authority, M/s Power Trading Corporation Ltd., visited Bhutan from 11-14 March for the second round of discussions on the principles of tariff for sale of power from Tala Hydroelectric Project to India. The two delegations had extensive discussions, and it was agreed to have the next round of discussions in the near future.

The delegation called on H.E Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, Minister for Foreign Affairs and H.E Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba Minister of Trade & Industry during the visit.

Hon’ble Shri Vinod Khanna inaugurates Festival of India in Bhutan

The much-awaited Festival of India in Bhutan, dedicated to “eternal friendship and cooperation between India and Bhutan” was inaugurated on 5 June 2003 at the Indian Embassy in Thimphu by the lighting of a ceremonial lamp by Her Majesty Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, Her Majesty Ashi Tshering Pem Wangchuck, Her Majesty Ashi Sangey Choden Wangchuck, Lyonpo Kinzang Dorji, Prime Minister of Bhutan, and Hon’ble Shri Vinod Khanna, Minister of State for External Affairs.

In his inaugural speech, Hon’ble Shri Khanna said that this was the first time a festival is being held in South Asian country which underlined the importance that India attached to its relations with the people of Bhutan, and hoped that the Festival would lead to greater people-to-people contacts and understanding of each other. Lyonpo Kinzang Dorji described the Festival as “a gesture of friendship, an invitation to the people of the two countries to share, to care, and to celebrate solidarity”.

The inauguration was followed by a Shehnai recital by the group of Pandit Rajendra Prasanna and a Kathak dance performed by the Kadamb group.

During the visit to Bhutan from 5 – 8 June 2003, Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs had an audience with His Majesty the King at the Tashichhodzong on 6 June and called on Prime Minister Lyonpo Kinzang Dorji and Lyonpo Thinley Gyamtsho, Home Minister and Chairman, National Commission for Cultural Affairs.

Hon’ble Shri Vinod Khanna jointly inaugurated the folk spectacle as a part of the Festival of India at the Clock Tower on 6 June and an Indian Food Festival on 7 June. The audience for the inauguration at over ten thousand was unprecedented in Thimphu. The folk spectacle involving twelve folk groups from different parts of India, was choreographed by Shri Bansi Kaul. The participation of the groups was coordinated by the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata.

Over the next six months the Festival of India will present exhibitions, workshops, seminars, film festival, food festival, and a joint dance drama production.

The Festival is being organized by the Department of Culture, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Embassy of India and the National Commission for Cultural Affairs of Bhutan.