Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day state visit to Bhutan, signed nine MoUs, and one power purchase agreement including the inauguration of RuPay cards with the Himalayan state. The agreements were signed by PM Modi in the presence of Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering at Semtokha Dzong Saturday.
As per the report, Bhutan became the second country after Singapore where RuPay cards were launched. This will be done in two phases, wherein during the first phase, RuPay cards will be issued by Indian banks to Indian travellers to be used in Bhutan. This has been done with a view to ease tourism in the country. This was announced by Foreign Secretary Vijay Gohkale during a press meet ahead of the PM’s visit to Bhutan.
Gokhale further added that in the next phase, Bhutanese banks will be authorized to issue RuPay cards to Bhutanese citizens to be used in India.
Besides the MoUs, PM Modi inaugurated Mangdechhu hydroelectric power plant and remote launching of ISRO-built ground station for South Asian Satellite.
As a gesture to strengthen the bond between the Himalayan neighbours, both PMs launched stamps to commemorate the five decades of India-Bhutan Hydropower cooperation.
Ahead of his visit to Bhutan, PM Modi had said that his visit during this time reflects Government of India’s commitment to strengthen India’s relations with its Himalayan nation.
The complete list of MoUs signed can be accessed here.