India to contribute Rs.15 crores for education development in Bhutan

Thimphu ( Bhutan ) Feb.7 (ANI): India on Monday announced that it would provide a grant of Rs.15 crore to Bhutan for education development.

The announcement was made by visiting Indian External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna after calling on Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and meeting the country's acting Foreign Minister Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk.iplomatic ties between India and Bhutan were established more than 40 years ago with the appointment of a resident representative in Thimphu.

Monday's meeting between Krishna and the Bhutanese leadership was aimed at further strengthening relations between the two.

The Rs.15 crore grant is being made to the Kidu Foundation, which was jointly launched by Bhutan's Prime Minister Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y. Thinley and India's Ambassador to Bhutan Pavan K. Varma on Februry 3 , 2011.

The foundation aspires to effectively complement government efforts to address critical issues in the areas of education development and to preserve the country's environmental and cultural heritage.

India and Bhutan have signed many agreements in various areas, including hydropower, information technology, health/medicine, and air services etc.

India is not only Bhutan's main development partner, but also its leading trade partner.

A free trade regime exists between the two nations. By Naveen Kapoor / Ravinder Singh Robin (ANI)