PM Tobgay meets, Kerry, Modi in Gujrat

Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay met with the US secretary John Kerry on the sidelines of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2015 on Sunday.

It is the first time US secretary held talks with the Bhutanese prime minister – the institution established only few years ago.

Asked why he was meeting now with the Bhutanese PM, Kerry said Bhutan has made “a transition to democracy and we are trying to work with them on their economy and support their thrust of how they want to balance their economy”.

“It’s very forward, very progressive, very, very interesting government in the midst of the region,” Kerry said, adding the US wanted to encourage the nation “to keep going down that path”.

US officials say the government in Thimphu wanted to set up more people-to-people exchanges between the US and Bhutan.

PM Tobgay addressed the summit before he met with Kerry. Tobgay clearly stole the hearts, earning maximum round of applause from the audience during his address.

Speaking extempore before world dignitaries, he invited leading corporates from across the globe to do business with Bhutan.

Tobgay said he is on economic pilgrimage to India that starts with Gujarat Summit. Tobgay is scheduled to travel different states in India during his nine-day long visit during which he is scheduled to call Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and other senior ministers and officials.

Additionally, Tobgay met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, Modi’s office twitted.

PM Modi sought support from Bhutan to counter violence perpetrated in Assam by Bodo rebellions.

“The two PMs discussed the need for close cooperation and coordination over security related issues,” Indian media quote senior Indian government official saying.