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India offers increased assistance to Bhutan

India has already offered to increase financial assistance to Bhutan in next five-year plan beginning 2019 as it reaches out to woo Prime Minister-elect Lotay Tshering.

His party DNT has won the election held last week and is waiting to be sworn in as head of the government.

During current 11th Five-Year Plan (2013-18) India contributed Rs 45 billion, which formed 68 per cent of the total external assistance received by the country. In addition, India committed assistance of Rs 5 billion crore under an economic stimulus plan.

Tshering had highlighted during election campaign that his priority will be to enhance health care facilities in rural areas. Indian newspapers cited sources to say, India may prioritise health sector for new funding.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to Tshering within hours of the election results last Friday and promised India’s support to his priorities. Tshering has made it clear that he will be guided by the king in conducting foreign policy and that ties with India are non-negotiable.

The Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT’s) manifesto, with its slogan ‘Narrowing the Gap’ has promised social and economic development, striving to transform Bhutan to a developed country by 2045. The focus of the manifesto is to provide equitable health services including multi-speciality hospitals across Bhutan, improve digital connectivity, build more road, civil aviation and power infrastructure, among other developmental goals.

In the right competition, DNT and DPT exchanges heated allegations. DNT supporters hit out against the DPT for its leanings towards China and an anti-king party.

SOurce:http://www.bhutannewsnetwork.com/2018/10/india-offers-increased-assistance-to-bhutan/