NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck have signed a new friendship treaty between the two countries in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. It updates the August 4, 1949 friendship treaty.

Soon after the brief signing ceremony on the Hyderabad House lawns, a press note circulated by the Bhutanese Government quoted the King as saying, "From a guiding role upon Bhutan's first step to modernisation we now stand as close friends and equal partners in the global arena."

"Closest friend"

"India has always played the important role of a closest friend and it does so today as well. India and Bhutan have just signed a new treaty of friendship to usher in the momentous changes that will come to Bhutan in 2008," King Jigme Khesar stressed.

According to the King, who plans to usher in major internal changes in the country next year, the signing of the treaty symbolised India's commitment to liberty, global equality and justice and confirmed its "rightful role" as a leader in international affairs.

National interests

An External Affairs Ministry spokesman told presspersons that the updated treaty removed provisions that had become "obsolete" over time. "The treaty commits both countries to cooperate closely with each other on issues relating to their national interests, and not allow the use of territories for activities harmful to the national security interest of the other," he said.

(This provision, clearly, is an outcome of New Delhi's concerns about the functioning of Indian extremist camps in Bhutan, which were cleared in 2003. India wants to avoid the repetition of such events.)

The treaty includes fresh provisions for expanding economic relations and cooperation in the fields of culture, education, health, sports, science and technology. It apparently contains a reference to cooperation in the hydroelectric sector as well.

Free trade regime

"It does not envisage a change in the treatment of nationals of both countries, or in the free trade regime we have," the Ministry spokesman stressed. According to him, India's relations with Bhutan had been an "enduring element" of the Government's foreign policy.

"Common destiny"

"They symbolise our belief that the people of South Asia share a common destiny. India-Bhutan relations are today characterised by maturity, trust, respect and understanding and joint endeavours in ever-expanding areas of activity," he added.

The text of the treaty was not made public.

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