The lndian Minister for External Affairs, H.E. Mr. Salman Khurshid, will visit Bhutan from 14-15 January 2013. The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high level exchanges between the two Countries.
Mr. Khurshid’s visit to Bhutan will further strengthen the excellent state of cooperation and friendship between the two countries.
During the visit, Mr. Khurshid will receive an audience with His Majesty the King. He will also call on Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley and hold talks with Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk. Apart from discussing matters of mutual interests and reviewing bilateral relationship with a focus on further strengthening the special friendship between the two countries, the progress of Gol funded projects in the 1Oth Five Year Plan and cooperation in the 11th Five Year Plan will also be discussed.
Mr. Salman Khurshid succeeded Mr. S.M. Krishna as the Minister for External Affairs of lndia on October 28, 2012. This is Mr. Khurshid’s first visit to Bhutan.
Mr. Khurshid has a B.A. (English and Jurisprudence), M.A., B.C.L.. He was educated at St. Stephen`s College, Delhi and St. Edmund Hall, Oxford University, Oxford, U.K.
The Indian external affairs minister also has many publications to his name. Some of the publications are `At Home in India`, a restatement of Indian Muslims (Vikas 1987);`Beyond Terrorism`(UBS 1994);`Sons of Babur` a play in search of India, published by Rupa & Co., 2008 and `If Winter Comes’ published by Vikas Publishing House Pvt. Ltd., 1991.
Mr. Khurshid held the position of Chairman, Department of Policy Planning and Coordination (DEPCO), All India Congress Committee from 2000-2003 and he was the general secretary, All India Congress Committee from 2004-05.
From 29 May 2009-18 January 2011, he was the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Corporate Affairs. And from 19 January 2011-12 July, 2011 he was the Union Cabinet Minister, Water Resources and Minority Affairs.
Mr. Khurshid was the Union Cabinet Minister, Law and Justice and addl. Charge of Minority from 13 July 2011-27 October.2012