50 years of Indo-Bhutan ties celebrated

GUWAHATI, March 23: The Golden Jubilee of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan is being celebrated recently. As part of these celebrations, a Festival of Assam was organized at Thimphu, Bhutan on March 22 and 23 March.

The iugural ceremony was held at Hotel Taj Tashi, which was attended by the Home Minister of Bhutan, Mr. Dawa Gyeltshen, Home Secretary of Bhutan, Som Topgay, the Ambassador of India to Bhutan, Jaideep Sarkar and the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Bhutan.

A high-level delegation led by the Minister, Cultural Affairs Department of Assam, ba Kumar Doley, eight MLAs and other officials also participated in the events. While speaking at the event, he recalled the age-old relations between Bhutan and Assam and the trading activities between them. He also spoke of the emerging new cultural and trading ties. Doley also brought out the fact that Bhutan have established a Consulate in Guwahati and the visit of the Prime Minister of Bhutan to Assam recently. A cultural troupe from Assam led by  Somneth Bora Oja enthralled the audience with their stellar performance of Bihu and drum based performances.

The dignitaries and guests were also given a taste of Assamese cuisine, starting with Oou Tenga soup and other Assamese delicacies.

The India-Bhutan Trade and Transit Agreement of 1972 established a free trade regime between the two countries. Every year, Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry organizes the India-Bhutan Friendship Trade Fair in one of the bordering towns in which traders from India, including Assam, take part. The 8th India-Bhutan Friendship Fair was held in Gelephu in January this year. A number of Assamese traders took part in the event.