SAARC Diary: Bhutan Express Solidarity with India in Fight against Covid

NEW DELHI, May 12: Following an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in India, Bhutan’s Prime Minister, Lyonchhen  Lotay Tshering, called Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday to express solidarity with the Government and citizens of India in their efforts to tackle the recent wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Modi in response expressed his sincere gratitude to the people and government of Bhutan for their well-wishes and support.

According to a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Thimphu, Modi praised Dr Tshering’s  leadership in handling Bhutan’s war against the pandemic, and wished him continued success. The leaders noted that the current crisis has served to highlight India and Bhutan’s unique friendship, which is based on mutual understanding and appreciation, common cultural heritage, and close people-to-people relations.

Later in an interview with CNN International, Dr Lotay Tshering expressed his happiness after speaking with Modi, stating that as a small country with a small economy and limited resources, Bhutan could only give some liquid oxygen to India, in addition to “expressing our warm wishes and heartfelt prayers to him and the citizens of India.” He also expressed gratitude to India for its generous assistance in providing free vaccines. He said Bhutan expected receiving the second doses of vaccines soon recognising India’s emergency situation.

(Venkatesh Iyer)