“Need to Enhance India-Bhutan Air Access and E-Visa System User Friendly”, Says Bhutanese PM

NEW DELHI: Bhutan Prime Minister Dosha Tshering Tobgay today while inviting more Indians to visit Bhutan said that India and Bhutan have excellent relations. “India is our immediate neighbor, and we want to be your host. The overarching intent of Bhutan’s Tourism policy is to enhance happiness and wellbeing of tourist throughout their journey,” he added.

He also praised the culture and environment as some of the strongest pillars of Bhutan, adding that these facets are enjoyed by the tourists.

Addressing the exclusive interaction ‘India-Bhutan Tourism: Expanding Horizons’, organized by FICCI, The Prime Minister of Bhutan stated that Bhutan has implemented ‘Gross National Happiness’ to improve the happiness and wellbeing of our citizens by balancing economic growth along with social, cultural progress and good governance.

“We need social progress and we have made good progress there through education which means we can take good care of tourists. We are custodians of a unique culture that we can share with the world,” he emphasized.

Good governance, he said is relevant as tourists are guaranteed the safety and security through the rule of law in Bhutan. 

Addressing the event organised by FICCI, PM Tobgay said, “While we are making tremendous strides in social progress, cultural preservation, environmental protection and good governance, in the area of economic progress, we have been extra cautious…The Covid pandemic has hit our economy hard. And to come a full circle, this is where you can help.”

Neighbourhood First Policy: With an aim to further bolster India-Bhutan ties, Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay @tsheringtobgay meets tourism business men, term India – Bhutan relations as "unique and special". #WATCH @PMBhutan @Indiainbhutan @tourismbhutan… pic.twitter.com/i4YSGuhRkN

— Dr. Shahid Siddiqui (@shahidsiddiqui) March 15, 2024

Highlighting the importance of tourism in Bhutan, PM Dasho Tshering Tobgay said, “We need to enhance access by air to Bhutan and that is my responsibility. I will need your (industry) support going forward to share Bhutan with India. We plan to target 1,50,000 Indian tourist in coming years.” 

Further, while elaborating on the Bhutanese economy, he said that social progress, preservation of culture, environmental protection, economic prosperity and good governance are the main pillars of the Gross National Happiness model of Bhutan.

The Prime Minister further stated that for Indian tourist visiting Bhutan, there is no visa requirement and only travel permit is required. He also urged the Indian tour operators to collaborate with the Government of Bhutan to design special tourist packages for Indians including cultural, environmental, spiritual, adventure packages. “Very few countries in the world boast this diversity. We will also allow FDI in tourism sector soon,” he added.

 Earlier to the business meet with tourism , Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan held a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence in Delhi. Later,  Prime Minister of Bhutan called on the President of India, Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan today on Friday. 

–Dr. M Shahid Siddiqui (PhD), Follow via X (Twitter) @shahidsiddiqui

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