Saarc diplomacy: India's foreign secy calls on Bhutan King, PM

Thimphu: Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar on Sunday held talks with Bhutan’s top leadership and called on King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck here as he began his ‘SAARC Yatra’ to firm up India’s ties with members of the grouping while reviewing regional and bilateral cooperation.

The Foreign Secretary called on Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay soon after arriving here on the first leg of his ‘SAARC Yatra’.

“Foreign Secy’s SAARC Yatra. Discussions in Thimpu on SAARC coop; BBIN (Bangladesh,Bhutan,India,Nepal) sub-regional coop;& bilateral ties,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin tweeted.

Thimphu is the first stop for Jaishankar who will travel to three other countries, including Pakistan, during the yatra.

During his visit here, Jaishankar also called on Bhutan King Wangchuck.

“Foreign Secy’s SAARC Yatra. 1st stop Thimpu. Meetings with PM @tsheringtobgay & HM the King & HM the 4th King,” Akbaruddin said in another tweet.

Jaishankar’s Bhutan trip will be followed by Bangladesh on 2 March, Pakistan on 3 March and Afghanistan on 4 March.

During the visit to capital cities of SAARC nations, Jaishankar will review various initiatives for the region, including SAARC satellites and regional university, as were proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Nepal for SAARC Summit last year.

Jaishankar will travel to Pakistan seven months after India cancelled foreign secretary-level talks because the Pakistan High Commissioner in New Delhi held consultations with Kashmiri separatists.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) – an economic and geopolitical grouping of eight countries located in South Asia – includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka as its members.

PTI