G20 Meet: When we say 'Modi is different', we mean it, says BJP leader Chuba Ao

New Delhi 

The successful hosting of G20 Business Summit in Nagaland is a unique achievement of the NDPP-BJP government but the "full scale credit" should go to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his visionary decision to bring such a mega event at the very doorsteps.

"When we in the BJP say, 'Modi Hae toh Mumkin Hae' and that the Prime Minister is a different material as a team captain and administrator, our detractors know only to dismiss this without applying mind. But we mean it. The G20 event in Kohima is a clear proof of that," BJP national vice president M Chuba Ao told 'Nagaland Page'.

"We firmly believe PM Modi means business....This fact was proved at Kohima on April 5th and

it has been proved in the past as well. Those who try to spend time only finding faults with BJP

and Mr Modi should reflect on certain facts of life and administration," he said.

On this backdrop, he referred to the mega controversy of 2012 when during the UPA regime 

when some envoys from European countries had visited Nagaland.

"If you recall in 2012 Ambassadors of Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary , Poland and Slovakia 

visited Nagaland to explore investment opportunities and the Union Home Ministry then raised questions

about it... Well, that was your Congress era when everything was supposed to have been tolerant

and democratic," Chuba said in a sarcastic tone.

In contrast, he said the BJP-led government headed by PM Modi allowed delegates from as many 

as 60 countries to visit Nagaland and deliberate on economic and business opportunities openly.

"Look at the contrast....there is administrative cohesiveness. All ministries work in coordination

with each other under the supervision of PMO under PM Modi. This is what we need in the 21st

century....The governance should be open and also reflect faith in own people. Under Congress,

there was suspicion as if five ambassadors will come and encourage insurgency," Chuba Ao stated,

adding, "I hope Naga leaders and intellectuals will also apply mind on these".

Referring to reports in a section of media as the NDPP has lauded the state government for hosting

the G20 meet, Chuba said, "I am not against that....please do not misunderstand my point. What

I am trying to say is that insurgency as a political issue is still there as was in 2012. Mr Neiphiu Rio

was the chief minister and see the embarrassment everyone faced when it was reported that the Union

Home Ministry is not happy over the visit of European delegation".

In 2012 it was reported in national media that the Ministry of External Affairs which had given

clearance to the visit was 'questioned' by the Union Home Ministry why the delegation met state 

politicians without 'mandatory security clearance'.

It may be noted that the episode in April-May 2012 had possible links to Congress party's internal bickering as 

P Chidambaram was Home Minister while S M Krishna was External Affairs Minister. 

Salman Khurshid, a trusted aide of Sonia Gandhi, later had replaced the aging Krishna from October 28, 2012.

ends    

Had Rahul not thrashed UPA Ordinance, he would not have been disqualified : Ghulam Nabi Azad

"This was different Shah ...not in a denial mode", say Muslim leaders after meeting Home Minister

New Delhi 

A delegation of Muslim leaders who called on Home Minister Amit Shah over various issues concerning

the religious minorities said the Minister "responded positively" and heard them in detail.

"This was a different Amit Shah from the one we see delivering political speeches. He responded positively, 

he heard us in detail, he was not in a denial mode," Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind president Maulana Mahmood Madani, 

secretary Niyaz Faruqui told journalists.

He said the delegation raised 14 challenges facing the country including recent incidents of communal violence in 

Bihar, West Bengal and Maharashtra and also doing away with Muslim reservation in Karnataka.

"His response was positive as he was not in denial mode and gave us a patient hearing to understand

things in detail," he said.

The delegation was led by Niyaz Faruqui and All India Muslim Personal Law Board members Kamal Faruqui 

and Professor Akhtarul Wasey.

The leaders also raised the incident in Bihar's Nalanda in which a madrasa was set on fire, Mr Faruqui said.

Sharing details of the deliberations, 

Faruqui said. "We did not target any leader, that was not our goal. Our goal was to create cooperation and change the atmosphere in the country". The subjects of same sex marriage and Uniform Civil Code were also discussed.

"We expressed our stand," he said.

Asked whether the Muslim leaders were satisfied with the deliberations, he said this was a "ice breaking" meeting. 

"We have taken an initiative, we are not saying anything on the behalf of the government".

During interaction, Mr Shah said, "I practice what I preach" and assured them that certain matters raised

by them will be looked into. 

A member of the delegation said, Mr Shah told them that “the abrogation of Article 370 should not be viewed through 

the lenses of Hindus and Muslims” but assured them that he would take action if he came across “any excesses by 

the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir”.

The controversial Article was abolished on Aug 5, 2019 and the state of Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two Union Territories - Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. 

The delegation said that responding to the Muslim vilification campaign run by a section of the media, Shah said that even the BJP and the Union government have been “targeted” by the media.

The meeting could have a special significance in view of the beginning of election season in the country.

After Karnataka polls in May, assembly polls are due in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana

and Mizoram later this year and parliamentary polls in 2024. 

While BJP is in power in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, the Congress is in power in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Regional parties BRS and MNF are in power in Telangana and Mizoram respectably.

A delegation member said, "We raised all issues, including Ram Navami violence, the growing threat of Islamophobia 

and even the scrapping of Muslim reservation in Karnataka...He heard us". 

BJP leaders and Chief Ministers in BJP-ruled states on a number of occasions  speaking about

issues of governance and Muslims have stated that the saffron party follows inclusive policy towards

all and upholds the principles of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas as underlined

by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The BJP governments have only one policy that no one should face problems and the respective state governments 

are doing whatever is required to improve the life of every citizen. The schemes and policies in BJP-ruled

sattes are for all citizens irrespective of religion. "We would not tolerate anyone breaking these policies of 

the governments," -- is often the refrain.

Ends

Had Rahul not thrashed UPA Ordinance, he would not have been disqualified : Ghulam Nabi Azad

(Azad lauds Narendra Modi's statesmanship in 2021 when the PM had appreciated then LoP in Rajya Sabha and said that had reminded him of Atal Bihari Vajpayee who once spoke highly of Sanjay Gandhi's leadership qualities.) 

New Delhi 

Amid hyped and even created controversies vis-a-vis sentencing against Rahul Gandhi and his

disqualification, a former member of the Manmohan Singh cabinet, Ghulam Nabi Azad,

said had the Congress leader not dismissed and thrashed the Ordinance brought by the UPA government in 2013, 

he would not have been disqualified today.

“We brought the Ordinance because we knew that one should be ready .....It was a weak cabinet and it should have 

gone ahead by bringing a law and should have stuck by its decision of bringing the law even after Rahul Gandhi 

dismissed it as nonsense and tore it,” Mr Azad said here after release of his autobiography “Azaad”.

‘khud kiye aapne deewaron mein suraakh, ab koin jhaank rahe hain to shor kyon (You created holes in your own 

wall, when people are watching through them now, why should anyone raise a voice). 

In could be a rather damaging statement against Congress as the election season has just been unleashed,

former Minister Azad said Rahul Gandhi was personally the 'reason' for his exit from Congress party.

“Yes. Not me alone, but at least a few dozen more, both young and old leaders….," he said adding, "Once you are 

in Congress, you are spineless…. you have to get operated".

It has been reported earlier that Azad in his memoir also held Rahul Gandhi responsible for the exit of

Himanta Biswa Sarma, present Assam Chief Minister, for his exit from the Congress.

According to Azad, Rahul had “mismanaged” the Sarma episode. “After our interaction with Rahul, I met Sonia ji 

and apprised her of the new twist in the tale. Despite understanding the disastrous consequences that lay ahead, 

it is rather unfortunate that she did not assert herself as the party president. Instead, she asked me to request 

Himanta to not rock the boat,’” writes Azad, who now heads the newly floated Democratic Progressive Azad Party.

In his book release function, Azad also said, “It was a wrong thing on the part of the Congress party to keep mum at 

the time… Rahul Gandhi would have been saved today through that only. The one who tore it, it got applied on him 

now. He should have realised it then".

To a question on whether he would rejoin Congress, Azad said, “But, they don’t want people like us. They want those who 

are fast on Twitter and are claiming that after Bharat Jodo Yatra the party will get 500 seats".

Azad was also critical of the functioning style of the present Congress leadership vis-a-vis over emphasis

given to social media.

“I am 2000 per cent more Congress than those who run (politics) on Twitter. I am 24-carat Congress by conviction, they 

are not even 18 carat," he remarked. 

Mr Azad has been also critical of PDP in Jammu and Kashmir that in 2002 polls, “Mufti Mehmood whose party came third 

in the elections with just 16 MLAs, became the CM, while I, despite having the support of 42 MLAs, had to return to national politics".

"Modi's statemanship has Vajpayee glimpses"

Meanwhile, to a TV channel, Azad said, "It was unbecoming on my part as Leader of the opposition (Rajya Sabha)

not joining any dinner party of PM Narendra Modi in seven years...but PM ignored them".

He said on the contrary Prime Minister Modi "behaved as a statesman" and added, "There are occasions in life

when one has to behave as a statesman...That day I expected him to abuse me (last day of Azad in Rajya Sabha

in February 2021)".

"He (Modi) remembered only the positive thing about me (in reference to killings of Gujaratis in

Jammu and Kashmir when Azad was Chief Minister)," he said. Azad said PM Modi's appreciation of

him (Ghulam Nabi) in 2021 in Rajya Sabha had reminded him of Atal Bihari Vajpayee who after 1977

elections had applauded the leadership qualities of Sanjay Gandhi. 

ends 

New Bharat Jodo game !! Veteran Congress leader AK Antony's son Anil Antony joins BJP

“Today, several Congress workers and leaders believe it is their 'dharma' to work for a family. My ‘dharma’ is to work for the country”, Anil Antony said after joining the BJP.

Recently he had condemned BBC documentary on PM Narendra Modi.

Junior Antony joined BJP in the presence of Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and V Muraleedharan on April 6, Thursday. 

“Despite large differences with BJP, I think those in India placing views of BBC, a UK state sponsored channel with a long history of prejudices,and of Jack Straw, the brain behind the Iraq war, over 🇮🇳 institutions is setting a dangerous precedence, will undermine our sovereignty”, he had tweeted, triggering speculation and controversy.  

Anil Antony, who held the position of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) digital media convenor and the national coordinator of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), had quit the Grand Old Party following row over his opposition to the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He had said that his decision was prompted by the "intolerant calls" for him to retract or change his tweet and the "abuses" -- from even within the party -- against him on social media.

The BBC documentary ‘India: The Modi Question’ chronicling the events which transpired during the 2002 Gujarat riots when Narendra Modi was the chief minister, had sparked a massive row in India. The Centre had got the documentary pulled down from YouTube and other social media platforms. 

"Anil’s decision to join BJP has hurt me. It is a very wrong decision. India’s base is unity and religious harmony. After 2014, Modi govt came to power, they’re systematically diluting diversity and secularism....": AK Antony on his son Anil Antony joining BJP

Supreme Court stays Notification Cancelling Nagaland Local Body polls : Issues Contempt notice

The state government's argument was "we cannot certainly go against the will of the people". Justice Kaul said, "But we had said that it will go ahead...How can they say something contrary to a judicial order?"  

(Some political leaders including former ministers told 'Nagaland Page' that they would not like to comment anything on record as the matter is subjudice. But the common refrain was that  inviting contempt proceedings from the Supreme Court is only a reflection of "bad governance, bad political judgement and gross inefficiency"). 

Supreme Court 'stays' cancelling local body polls, serves contempt notice

"How can they say something contrary to a judicial order?" 

 

New Delhi 

It's a mega embarrassment for the Neiphiu Rio-led NDPP-BJP dispensation in Nagaland which just got reinstalled with a convincing mandate after the keenly contested Feb 27 assembly polls. Now the state government faces Contempt notice from the Supreme Court and the matter has been next listed for April 17, 2023, a source said.

The two-judge bench seemed to have taken exception to the state Election Commission stating on March 30, 2023 that the elections would stand "cancelled" with the consent of the Chief Minister who found three groups opposing the election.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday, April 5, 2-23, stayed the Notification on cancellation of Nagaland local body polls and issued Contempt Notices to the state government and the state election commission.

In an interim order, the Court stayed the operation of the poll panel order dated March 30 cancelling the 

civic body polls. “This is not acceptable. Please convey that we will not allow this," the bench of the

apex Court said. 

Justice S K Kaul said, “But we had said that it will go ahead (with polls). How can they say something contrary to 

a judicial order?”

The bench of Justice Kaul and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah maintained that at the request of the advocate general for the state government, K N Balagopal, directives were issued to the state election commission and the state to "make necessary arrangements to free and fair elections....Any authority/citizen is breach thereof would be in breach of orders of this court".

 

The civic body polls in Nagaland have been in controversies earlier too and even the Supreme Court had earlier questioned the lawyer of the state government whether they want to hold civic body polls with reservation to women in the year 2026.

"Twelve years have gone by ....when you want to hold civic polls in Nagaland, 2026," the Supreme Court had lamented on July 30, 2022 questioning the 'delay'. In 2017 the episode had snowballed into a major row and led to the violence and killing of two people.

The then Chief Minister T R Zeliang had to step aside for a brief spell too.

A section of Nagas had earlier opposed the quota for women saying it was against the Customary laws

which are guaranteed under Article 371(A) of the Constitution. In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court on

July 29, directed the Nagaland State Election Commission to complete the elections of the local bodies and 

municipalities and declare the results by the end of January 2023.

A Bench of Justices S K Kaul and M M Sundresh had ordered then - "We clearly put to them that the

election process has to be completed and the results declared before the end of January 2023".

The poll schedule has to be worked out accordingly, the Bench said. The apex court maintained categorically 

that - "You cannot begin the election process after January".

When the counsel for the state, according to sources, had tried to assure - "We will hold elections…."; 

the bench ventilated its anguish and said, "When? In 2026?" .

However, due to elections things were allowed to be deferred and the state election panel had fixed May 16

for the polls.

According to sources, during Wednesday's (April 5) hearing, Justice Kaul said, "You are in breach of the order of the 

court. So is the Election Commission. We will notice in contempt. We had said that it (the election) would not be postponed.”  

The development is seen as a big embarrassment for the Rio-led NDPP-BJP regime which got a convincing 

mandate and was reinstalled on March 7, 2023. The decision to repeal the relevant act vis-a-vis functioning of 

municipal bodies and the elections were taken by the state government in its first session of the state assembly.  

The apex court now has served Contempt notices to the state government and the state election

commission and to file their responses within a week's time.

"The order of this court dated 14.3.2023 is quite clear that any endeavour to tinker with the election would be 

in the breach of the order of the court, either by the Election Commission or by the state government".  

As soon as the court's orders went viral on social media and electronic media, some onlookers raised the question 

-- Does the Nagaland Govt lack the basic knowledge that it has a constitutional obligation to abide by the directives 

of the apex court of the land.

A major argument that would go against the stance of the government is that 'repealing the Act while notification 

was already issued as per the Supreme Court directives' was a clear challenge to the authority of the court,

analysts say.

Some political leaders including former ministers told 'Nagaland Page' that they would not like to

comment anything on record as the matter is subjudice. But the common refrain was that 

inviting contempt proceedings from the Supreme Court is only a reflection of "bad governance, bad political

judgement and gross inefficiency".

On March 14, 2023, in a petition challenging the Nagaland assembly resolution

dated Sept 22, 2021 exempting operation of Part IXA of the Constitution of India,

which mandates 33 percent reservation for women in municipal bodies, the state election

panel had told the apex court that the local body elections in Nagaland have been notified

and are to take place on May 16.

On March 28, the Nagaland Assembly resolved not to hold the elections to the urban local bodies.

The resolution was moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister K G Kenye.

Several Naga tribal bodies and civil society organisations opposed holding the ULB election under the 

Nagaland Municipal Act 2001, asserting that it infringes on the special rights for Nagaland guaranteed by 

Article 371(A) of the Constitution.

Notably, the bench seemed to have taken exception to state Election Commission

stating on March 30, 2023 that the elections would stand "cancelled by a notification of

the Election Commission with the consent of the Chief Minister who found three groups

opposing the election".

The state government's argument was "we cannot certainly go against the will of the people".

Justice Kaul said, "But we had said that it will go ahead...How can they say something contrary to

a judicial order?"  

  

ends 

The matter is next listed on April 17, 2023 

 #SupremeCourt ....Stays Notification Cancelling #Nagaland Local Body Bolls; Issues #Contempt Notice To State, state election commission

“This is not acceptable. Please convey that we will not allow this.” -- says Supreme Court 

Justice Kaul said, “But we had said that it will go ahead(with polls). How can they say something contrary to a judicial order?” 

Displeased with the cancellation of the election in the teeth of Apex Court’s order, Justice Kaul reckoned, “But you are in breach of the order of the court. So is the Election Commission. We will notice in contempt. We had said that it (the election) would not be postponed.”  

The development is big time embarrassment for the Rio-led NDPP-BJP regime which got a convincing mandate and got reinstalled on March 7, 2023. The decision to repeal the relevant act vis-a-vis functioning of municipal bodies and the elections was taken by the state government in its first session of the state assembly.  

The apex court had last year directed the Nagaland state government and state election commission to hold local body polls but now Contempt notice has been issued and they have been directed to file their responses within a week's time.

"The order of this court dated 14.3.2023 is quite clear that any endeavour to tinker with the election would be in the breach of the order of the court, either by the Election Commission or by the state government".  

As soon as the court's orders went viral on social media and electronic medium, some onlookers raised the question -- Does the Nagaland Govt lacks basic knowledge that it has constitutional obligation to abide by the directives of the apex court of the land. 

  

  

Supreme Court junks 14 Opposition parties petition on alleged misuse of CBI and ED

New Delhi 

In a major set back to BJP detractors, the Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition filed by 14 political parties which alleged that central investigating agencies, namely CBI and ED, are being misused by the Central government to crack down on dissent by Opposition leaders.

Interestingly, Congress MP and Opposition lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi decided to withdraw the petition after Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud expressed doubts about the validity and feasibility of the petition.

The bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice J B Pardiwala said that “laying down general guidelines without having relation to facts of a case will be dangerous”.

The bench said guidelines cannot be sought only for politicians based on statistics showing the maximum number of cases by central probe agencies against opposition leaders as they do not enjoy any immunity from prosecution. The court stated that political leaders stand on the same footing as common citizens.

The petition did not take into account the rights and interests of other citizens who might be affected by corruption or criminality, Justice Chandrachud said.

The petition had alleged that there was a "drastic and exponential increase" in the number of cases registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against opposition leaders since 2014 when PM Narendra came to power.

Mr Singhvi cited statistics to show that the ED had registered 6 times more cases in the last seven years than in the previous decade, but had a conviction rate of only 23 per cent. He also alleged that 95 per cent of the ED and CBI cases were against opposition leaders from across the country. 

The petition claimed that this was a clear indication of political vendetta and bias.

However, Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud expressed doubts about the validity and feasibility of the petition. He asked Mr Singhvi whether he was seeking immunity for opposition parties from investigation and prosecution, and much to the embarrassment of Opposition camp said whether they had any special rights as citizens.

Mr Singhvi clarified that he was not asking for any blanket protection or exemption for opposition leaders, but only for a fair and impartial application of the law.

 He said that the government was misusing its agencies to weaken and demoralise the opposition. 

He also argued that the government was violating the "triple test" laid down by the Supreme Court for arresting accused persons, which requires reasonable grounds, necessity and proportionality. He said that many opposition leaders were being arrested without any evidence or justification, and that this was affecting their ability to perform their duties as elected representatives.

The Chief Justice, however, was not convinced by Mr Singhvi's arguments. 

He said that the Supreme Court could not lay down general guidelines or principles for just politicians, and that it would be more appropriate for individual cases to be brought before the court. He also suggested that Mr Singhvi could raise his concerns in parliament.

Mr Singhvi then decided to withdraw his petition, saying that he would come back to the court when there were more specific cases or instances of misuse of power by the government.

The court urged the parties to come in an appropriate case or group of cases where a political leader is targeted.

“You please come back to us when you have an individual criminal case or group of cases,” the bench said.

Besides the Congress, the parties that were part of the joint move are the DMK, RJD, BRS, Trinamool Congress, AAP, NCP, Shiv Sena (UBT), JMM, JD(U), CPI(M), CPI, Samajwadi Party and the J-K National Conference.

It may be mentioned  that Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently urged CBI officials and investigators not to be deterred by the criticism from various quarters.

Ends 

Centre begins process of review for extending ceasefire with Naga groups

New Delhi 

In 2022 amid fast paced developments vis-a-vis Naga peace talks, the Union Home ministry had extended the 'ceasefire agreements for a further period of one year' with effect from April 28, 2022 to April 27, 2023 with some Naga groups.

The Home Ministry had extended the pacts with NSCN-NK and NSCN-R up to April 27, 2023.

The ceasefire with NSCN-K-Khango was extended from April 18, 2022 to April 17, 2023. Some of the stakeholders and key leaders from respective ceasefire cells are in Delhi for the purpose, sources said. 

The status of Naga peace talks seems to have hit a roadblock for multiple reasons including

raising the issues of Flag and a separate Naga constitution by the NSCN-IM. The centre has more

than once rejected both the demands. 

The process again slowed down due to elections and now the centre's interlocutor A K Mishra is expected 

to kickstart the talks yet again.

In September 2021, the government had signed a ceasefire agreement with the Niki Sumi faction of the 

NSCN-K, which had signed a ceasefire agreement with the government in 2001, but withdrew from it in 

2015 under the leadership of SS Khaplang. A Hemi Naga from Myanmar Khaplang expired on June 9, 2017.

The ceasefire agreement between the government of India and the NSCN - K - Niki group came into effect

in September 2001 and was extended first for a period of one year and then again extended 

with effect from September 8, 2022 to September 7, 2023. 

The NSCN-IM, which first entered ceasefire agreement with the Centre in 1997, has signed the Framework Agreement 

on Aug 3, 2015 while the NNPG, an umbrella body of seven groups, inked the Agreed Position with the centre in 2017.

The NSCN-Unification (or NSCN-NK) led by Neokpao Konyak and N Kitovi Zhimomi is the principal force behind 

NNPG which is all for an early signing of a final peace pact with the Govt of India.

ends 

PM meets Bhutan King : Security concerns b/w two countries are intertwined, indivisible, says Foreign secy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, held a vital round of bilateral meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday. During the meeting, both the leaders reviewed the entire gamut of  bilateral cooperation to further boost their relationship.

Terming the relationship between two countries as "exemplary and unique",  Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan 

Kwatra said, "we also have a time-tested framework of security cooperation. And as part of that, both countries maintain a longstanding tradition of very close consultations on matters relating to their mutual interest and, of course, security also. 

Now in this context the intertwined and indivisible nature of our security concerns is self-evident".

He told a press conference that the visiting Bhutan King Jigme briefed PM Modi about the reforms initiatives taken by Bhutan. 

He said, Prime Minister Modi also reiterated India’s full support for socio-economic development of Bhutan. 

Talking about the outcomes of the meeting, Mr Kwatra said, India would step up its support for Bhutan's 

upcoming 13th five-year plan. He said, India will also work to extend an additional standby credit facility and 

shape long-term sustainable arrangements for export of agricultural commodities from Bhutan. 

"We would work to shape long term sustainable arrangements for export of agricultural commodities from Bhutan. 

Also work to develop long term bilateral arrangements for a short supply of critical commodities to Bhutan, which 

would include petroleum, fertilizers, and coal," the Foreign Secretary said.

India’s concerns about certain issues in the region have grown since Bhutan and China signed an agreement in October 

2021 for a “three-step roadmap” to expedite talks to resolve their boundary dispute. 

Bhutan shares a border of more than 400 km with China.

The Indian side has said in statements in 2012 and 2017 that boundary issues at tri-junction points such as Doklam must be resolved with the involvement of all three countries. Indian and Chinese troops were locked in a 73-day standoff at 

Doklam in 2017. The Doklam plateau is considered vital for India’s strategic interest.

Foreign Secretary Kwatra said, both sides will also work to develop long-term bilateral arrangements for 

assured supply of critical commodities like petroleum and coal.

Both the countries are also examining and considering setting up the first Integrated Check Post along India-Bhutan 

border, which would be near Jaigaon. He said, India and Bhutan will also expedite the proposed Kokrajhar-Gelephu 

rail link project through Government of India support in consultation with the Bhutanese side. 

This will be historic because it will be the first ever rail link between India and Bhutan.

Earlier in the morning, King Wangchuck paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. 

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval also while External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar had met 

the King of Bhutan on Monday. After the bilateral meeting, the visiting dignitary met President Droupadi Murmu 

at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The King of Bhutan was accompanied during the visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade 

Dr. Tandi Dorji and several senior officials of Bhutan government. 

The Indian side also agreed to an increase in the tariff for power supplied from Bhutan’s Chhukha hydroelectric project, and to expedite the finalisation of new hydropower projects, including the Sankosh project.

In a tweet, PM Modi described his meeting with Wangchuck as “warm and productive” and maintained,

“Deeply value our close friendship and the vision of successive Druk Gyalpos in guiding India-Bhutan relations to 

new heights".

ends