Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Monday called up Bhutan’s new Prime Minister Tshering Togai to discuss areas of mutual interest and multifaceted cooperation to further boost India’s ties with the Himalayan nation. Kwatra arrived here earlier on a three-day visit, the first high-level visit from India after the formation of the new government led by People’s Democratic Party leader Togei.

Kwatra met with Prime Minister Togai at the office of Prime Minister Gyalung Tso Kham.

According to reports in Bhutanese newspapers, the meeting discussed various areas of mutual interest and cooperation between Bhutan and India.

A post on X said the Prime Minister also hosted a dinner for the Foreign Secretary and his delegation at his official residence.

Kwatra also held bilateral consultations with Bhutanese Foreign Minister Om Pema Choden.

The Embassy of India posted on

Kwatra’s visit comes at a time when China and Bhutan seek a quick resolution to their worsening border dispute, which could affect India’s security interests.

The Indian Embassy earlier tweeted: “Foreign Secretary @AmbVMKwatra was warmly welcomed by Bhutanese Foreign Minister Om Pema Choden on his arrival in Paro, where he will be visiting from January 29 An official visit will be held on the 31st.”

“This visit is in line with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan and will provide both parties with an opportunity to comprehensively review bilateral relations,” the statement said.

During the visit, Quatra will receive His Majesty the King. He will also call on the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and meet with the Foreign Minister of Bhutan and other senior officials of the Royal Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. Togai became Bhutan’s prime minister on Sunday after the People’s Democratic Party won elections earlier this month.

Nearly three months ago, then-Bhutanese Foreign Minister Thandi Dorji held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing.

China reported on the talks that Bhutan firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to work with China to resolve boundary issues at an early date and advance the political process of establishing diplomatic relations.

New Delhi has been keeping a close eye on the negotiations on the border dispute between Bhutan and China as it may have implications for New Delhi’s security interests, especially at the tri-junction in Doklam.

Meanwhile, the Indian Ambassador met Bhutan’s newly sworn-in Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister here on Monday and said he looked forward to working together to further deepen India-Bhutan’s exemplary relations in various fields.

Ambassador Sudhakar Dalela’s meeting with Bhutan’s democratically elected leaders took place a day after Tsering Togai was sworn in as Prime Minister and Leombor DN Dunyel as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. Ambassador @SudhakarDalela paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Lyonchhen @tsheringtobgay and conveyed the greetings from the Indian leader on his assumption of office as Prime Minister. The Indian Mission in Bhutan is committed to working closely to further strengthen the unique friendship between Bhutan and India and posted photos of the meeting on X.

Ambassador @SudhakarDalela paid a courtesy call on Lyonpur DN Dhungyel and conveyed greetings on his assumption of office as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade on behalf of EAM. The delegation posted photos of the meeting on X and we look forward to working together to further deepen the exemplary cross-sector relationship between Bhutan and India. Both Togai and Donye belong to the People’s Democratic Party, which won 30 of the 47 seats in the National Assembly in the January 9 parliamentary election in Bhutan.

The Tendrel Party won 17 seats in the country’s fourth general election since the country transitioned from a traditional monarchy to a parliamentary system in 2008.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from associated news agency – PTI)