Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said that the invitation extended to him to attend Bhutan’s National Day celebrations was an honour and recognition to the state as a new economic power. Concluding his Historic 4-day official trip to Bhutan, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma extended gratitude to his majesty king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and the people of Bhutan for their warmth and generosity. Sharing the highlights of visit, Chief Minister Sarma said he and his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sharma return home with Cherished memories, invaluable learning’s and a renewed commitment to ensuring that Assam plays a pivotal role in strengthening the deep bond between Bharat and Bhutan.
The invitations extended to an Assam Chief Minister for the first time was a ‘’huge honour and recognition of the state as a new economic power in the neighbourhood’’, Sarma said at the media briefing after the Cabinet meeting. He also said ‘’we have been neighbours for long but this four day visit has opened up new vistas which we will explore further’’. Discusssions were held on power supply as Bhutan is a storehouse of Hydropower and as development is taking place in the state at a rapid pace, power requirement will increase, Sarma added.
Assam CM Also said, This is the first visit by Assam Chief Minister and we held talks but we cannot take it forward. Now our Central government and Bhutan will discuss further, The first visit was more ‘’like a courtesy visit but in further it will be more business like with Bhutan scheduled to attend the advantages Assam Investment Summit in February’’. Assam Chief Minister Hemanta Biswa Sarma made the remarks as he concluded his four day trip to the neighbouring country on Thursday.