Aid to Bhutan will continue: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday assured Tshering Tobgay, leader of Bhutan’s victorious People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on continuation of India’s external assistance to the Himalayan nation.

Bhutan’s main opposition PDP won the elections with a massive mandate, capturing 32 seats, while the incumbent Druk Phuensum Tshogpa led by former prime minister Jigmi Y Thinley could secure only 15 seats in the 47-member National Assembly.

Congratulating Tobgay on his party’s emphatic win in the election, Singh said, “India is, and will remain, sensitive to Bhutan and its interests.” Bhutan saw its second democratic election after the kingdom paved way for democracy in 2008.

“I have already instructed officials of my government to prepare for the discussions on our assistance to Bhutan,” Singh said in his congratulatory message.

The assurance comes days after Thimpu lodged a protest with New Delhi after Indian oil marketing companies withdrew their subsidy on petroleum products sold in Bhutan. The government, however, clarified that it was a technical issue, which would be sorted out at the earliest.

India had cut off the subsidy on kerosene and cooking gas to Bhutan last month as the 10th Plan, under which aid was provided, expired on June 30. India has said it will discuss the issue with the new government in Bhutan.

Togbay and PDP are understood to be having a more India-friendly view. According to former Indian envoy to Thimpu Pavan Kumar Verma, PDP leader Togbay repeatedly stressed that India was “irreplaceable for Bhutan” both for its internal development and external policy. Thinley, on the other hand, is believed to have moved a bit closer to China and established new diplomatic relations with many countries much to the dislike of India.

In his message, the Prime Minister said: “India is a privileged partner of Bhutan and it’s people in their socio-economic progress and development. Our bilateral ties are anchored in a strong foundation of trust, mutual confidence and understanding. Our endeavor would be to strengthen these ties further.”