The high point of the visit was that India enhanced its standby credit facility for the Himalayan nation to Rs 400 crore and exempted the neighbouring country from a ban on export of essential commodities. India also reiterated on the occasion of its commitment to assist Bhutan in its socio-economic development programmes and reaffirmed its full support to the country's 10th five year plan.
New Delhi has also committed to double its 10th plan assistance over the revised outlay assistance in the 9th plan period and to develop the 10,000 MW of hydropower in Bhutan for export to India by the year 2020. This would be done through direct assistance and in collaboration with Indian public sector undertakings.
India has also agreed to positively consider Bhutan's request for removal of export duty on the supply of industrial raw material, including coal and steel billets, to the Himalayan nation.
Image: Prime Minister of Bhutan Lyonchen Jigme Y Thinley with President Pratibha Patil at Taj Tashi in Thimphu.
Photograph: Rashtrapati Bhavan
Also read: Bhutan's new PM wants to visit India first
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