Mamata Banerjee meets Bhutan PM, discusses areas of collaboration

Thimphu, Oct 5: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today met Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and discussed areas of collaboration like education and transport.

Banerjee, who arrived here on Monday on a five-day visit, also visit the Parliament House of Bhutan. After the meeting with Tobgay, Banerjee said that she was honoured that King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck had invited her to visit the country.

She said that there was a long discussion between the two leaders regarding different sectors like education and transport.

An agreement with the Government of Bhutan regarding transport will be signed soon, Banerjee said, adding that she had made a request that the agreement may be signed in Bengal.

She invited Tobgay to attend the North Bengal Business Conclave. Tobgay said that the record of the West Bengal Chief Minister speaks for itself.

From her forming a party to coming to power, she played a big role in solving Indo-Bangla border issue, the Prime Minister of Bhutan said. He said that from tourism to industry, there is lot of scope for cooperation between India and Bhutan and Banerjee has already sanctioned a 2nd gateway to Phuentsholing via Boubazar in Jaigaon.

He said that she has committed to facilitating the Pasakha-Hasimara rail link. After the West Bengal Chief Minister's visit, he was certain that tourism ties will flourish.

Banerjee is accompanied by West Bengal Housing Minister and in-charge of Sports Arup Biswas, Chief Secretary Sanjay Mitra and Transport Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay. The 15-member delegation also comprised several industrialists.

She will attend a business conclave in the picturesque Himalayan nation. Tomorrow, Banerjee will meet the Bhutanese king. A Bengali food festival is also planned at Hotel Taj Tashi during her tour.

PTI