Army Staff Chief General Upendra Dwivedi departed on an official visit to Bhutan on Monday.
The Indian Army said that the purpose of this visit is to pursue permanent bilateral defense cooperation between the two countries.
“General Upendra Dwivedi, Kos proceeded on an official visit to Bhutan today. The purpose of this journey is to pursue permanent bilateral defense cooperation between the two countries. The yatra reflects deep relations between India and Bhutan and re -presents India’s commitment to its neighbor,” the Army said in a position on X.
India and Bhutan share unique and exemplary bilateral relations, based on mutual trust, goodwill and understanding. Formal diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan were established in 1968. The original structure of the Indo-Bhutan relations is a treaty of friendship and cooperation between the two countries in 1949, which was renewed in February 2007.
Earlier, the Prime Minister of Bhutan paid a state visit to India in December 2018 and then to attend the swearing -in ceremony of the new government in May 2019.
Minister of External Affairs (EAM) S. Jaishankar visited Bhutan in June 2019, marking his first foreign trip after assuming office. The Foreign Minister of Bhutan visited India from 17 November to 23 November 2019. The Minister of Commerce and Industry (CIM) visited Bhutan from 28 February to 29, 2020. Eam S. Jaishankar visited Bhutan from 29 April to 30, 2022.
The Indo-Bhutan agreement on trade, commerce and transit, first signed in 1972 and the most recently modified in 2016, establishes a free trade rule between the two countries. This agreement also provides for duty-free transit of Bhutanese exports in third countries.
Traditionally unique bilateral relations, which are characterized by mutual belief and understanding, have been advanced by regular high-level exchange between the two countries. PM Narendra Modi visited Bhutan in August 2019.
Bhutan’s Prime Minister, Leonpo DN Dhungel, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Business, Lyonpo Gem Tashering, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji, Industries, Minister of Industries, Commerce and Employment, and with other senior officials and other senior officials, paid an official visit during 14-18 March 2024.