Bhutanese prime minister to visit India next week

Thimphu, Aug 10:

's new Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay will embark on his maiden visit to India next week during which he would discussed issues like rupee crunch and funds for the Himalayan nation's 11th five-year plan with Indian leadership.

Tobgay's visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would be his first visit abroad after assuming the office last month.

Tobgay's People's Democratic Party (PDP) won a landslide victory in Bhutan's second national elections held on July 13.

The PDP defeated Druk Phuensum Tshogpa party by winning 32 seats out of the 47 in the National Assembly.

According to a statement, one of the agenda would be to seek grant from India to inject into Bhutanese economy and to ease liquidity crunch.

Although the delegation members and length of visit has not been made public, Foreign Minister Rinzin Dorji is likely to be part of the delegation.

Bhutan is facing Indian rupee crunch which has hit the Himalayan country's business community hard.

Largest circulated Bhutanese daily 'Kuensel' had recently said that one of the first things, the new government will have to undertake is mobilise funds for the 11th plan.

PTI