The Bhutanese Leading the way.
In response to a letter from the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh congratulating the PDP President on his victory the PDP President wrote back on 17th July 2012 expressing his thanks and also promising to strengthen the Indo-Bhutan friendship.
He also accepted the Indian PM’s invitation to visit India. He said, “I would like to assure Your Excellency of my unwavering resolve and commitment to preserve and strengthen our special ties that has always been based on mutual trust, confidence and understanding. In this regard, it is a great honour and pleasure for me to accept Your Excellency’s most gracious invitation to visit your great country at the earliest opportunity.
The PDP President or the Prime Minister elect’s visit to India will be important for Bhutan as it will happen in the backdrop of getting aid for the 11th plan, bringing back subsides, getting the Nu 3 bn Economic Stimulus money and also sorting out any confusion on the 10,000 MW projects. Bhutan is also expected to ask for help in resolving the rupee crisis and credit crisis issues.
The President in his letter says, “It gives me immense pleasure to acknowledge Your Excellency’s most gracious letter of 13 July 2013 on the occasion of my Party’s success in the recent elections for the National Assembly of Bhutan. On behalf of the People’s Democratic Party and myself, I would like to express my profound gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to Your Excellency for the warm sentiments expressed to me and my Party.”
The letter further says, “Following the successful conclusion of the second parliamentary elections under democratic Bhutan, my Party now looks forward with confidence and optimism towards fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of His Majesty the King and the people of Bhutan.”
The PDP President said that in this regard, the Indian PM’s kind assurances of support are a great source of comfort and encouragement to his and his Party. “Indeed, the steadfast support of Your Excellency and the people and Government of India has been instrumental in ensuring the success of democracy and sustaining the pace of socio-economic development in Bhutan,” says the letter.
He said that his Party and he attached the greatest importance to Bhutan’s relations with India which had been consciously nurtured and strengthened over many decades under the wise and able leadership of Bhutan’s successive Kings.
The President said that he looked forward to working closely with the Indian Prime Minister and the Government of India, and he was fully confident that the age-old ties of friendship, cooperation and goodwill between the two countries will grow from strength to strength in the years ahead.
“I thank Your Excellency once again and avail of this opportunity to convey my best wishes for Your Excellency’s personal well being and happiness and for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of the people and Government of India. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration,” says the letter.
