India wants to develop a tourism circuit between its Northeast and Bhutan

TIMPHU - Bhutan promised on Monday it will not allow its territory to be used against India, an early success for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's region-wide drive to shore up diplomatic relations with neighbours in return for stronger economic ties.

In a joint statement issued during Modi's first foreign visit since he took office in May, Bhutan and India agreed not allow each other's territory to be used "for interests inimical to the other", without giving further details.

India believes that insurgent groups in its northeastern states seek refuge in the Himalayan kingdom. India wants also to counter the growing influence of China on the small Kingdom before seen as completely loyal to New Delhi. Neighbours Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have increasingly locked in financial and infrastructure assistance from China, leaving slower-footed India feeling isolated and encircled in its own neighbourhood.

Wedged between Asia's rising giants but traditionally friendly only with India, Bhutan is emerging from centuries of self-imposed seclusion and is debating whether to open formal diplomatic ties with Beijing.

"If you walk a few steps, we too will walk with you," Modi told a joint session of Bhutan's parliament. "A strong, prosperous India is good for the neighbourhood. The stronger India is, the stronger Bhutan will be," he said. Among cooperation being evocated between both countries, the new Prime Minister suggested the two governments could work together to promote Bhutan and India's northeast as tourism circuit. "With Prime Minister Modi, you can be sure there will be faster implementation of projects. He believes in speed," Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj told reporters.

Modi wants to highlight with its neighbour the Himalayan heritage that both countries share. India will also be keen to work with Bhutan on protecting the Himalayan environment to fight the effect of global climate warming. India Prime Minister indicated that while “terrorism divides, tourism unites” people.

Sourced: TravelDailyNews