The Hindu : National : India, Bhutan to explore railway link

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 26, 2005

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National

India, Bhutan to explore railway link

By Our Diplomatic Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JAN. 25. Thimphu and New Delhi today agreed to conduct feasibility studies to extend the Indian railway network from West Bengal and Assam to Bhutan following talks between the King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh.

Details of the agreement provided to presspersons said the feasibility studies would examine the following links: Hasimara (West Bengal) to Phuentsholing; Kokrajhar (Assam) to Gelephu; Pathsala (Assam) to Nanglam; Rangiya (Assam) to Samdrupjongkhar; and Banarhat (West Bengal) to Samtse.

The studies, to be conducted by Rail India Technical and Economic Services, will be funded by a Government of India grant. A statement from the External Affairs Ministry said these studies would be completed within a year.

The two countries also signed an agreement on the preparation of detailed project reports for the 990 Megawatt Punatsangchhu (Stage-II) and the 670 Megawatt Mangdechhu hydro-electric projects. These reports are likely to be completed in two years.

"Cooperation in this sector represents a win-win situation for both countries. Bhutan receives a steady stream of revenue and India obtains cheap, clean energy to meet the growing requirements of its economy." A third agreement signed in the presence of the Prime Minister and the King of Bhutan relates to institutional cooperation in agriculture and allied sectors.

In a related development, the King of Bhutan said: "Even as we rejoice in celebrating India's Republic Day, it is with a sense of deep sorrow that we recall the terrible destruction and loss of life caused by the tsunami last month in the Indian Ocean region.

"I wish to once again convey the deep sympathy of the Government and people of Bhutan to all the families in India affected by this unprecedented natural disaster.

The spontaneous and generous assistance extended to the SAARC member-countries of Sri Lanka and the Maldives, despite the great loss of life and property at home, was also a truly commendable display of support for neighbours in their hour of need," the King said in remarks prepared for a banquet speech at the Rashtrapati Bhavan tonight.

"The exemplary manner in which the Government of India responded in dealing with the aftermath of this natural disaster is yet another measure of its deep commitment to serve the people and ensure their welfare," he said at the banquet hosted by the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Expressing satisfaction at the state of Indo-Bhutan relations, the monarch said, "Based on genuine goodwill, friendship and trust, it provides a shining example of good neighbourly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between a large and powerful country and a small, landlocked neighbour. For us in Bhutan, friendship with India has always been the cornerstone of our foreign policy. For her part, India has reciprocated with true friendship and generous assistance to our nation building process ...

"I wish to inform our Indian friends that the process of bringing about political changes in Bhutan has reached a very important stage with the drafting of a written constitution which has just been completed. I would like to express our deep appreciation for having received valuable advice and contributions from our friends in India. In drafting the constitution, we attached the highest importance to the establishment of a parliamentary democracy that will provide good governance and fulfil the aspirations of the people of Bhutan," the King said.

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