Army Chief meets Bhutan King in Thimphu; focus on further boosting enduring strategic ties
The Hindu
Gen Pande also met with the Indian officials engaged in capacity-building of Bhutanese military.
Chief of Army Staff Gen Manoj Pande has met Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and other top civil and military leaders of Bhutan with a focus on further boosting enduring strategic ties.
Gen Pande is on a visit to Bhutan in the backdrop of growing concerns in India over China's relentless attempts to expand military infrastructure around Bhutanese territory in the Doklam plateau.
People familiar with Gen Pande's engagements in Bhutan said regional defence and security challenges, Chinese activities in the plateau and adjoining areas and ways to further enhance bilateral defence cooperation figured in his talks in Thimphu.
The Army chief's visit to Bhutan coincided with India's decision to authorise the export of 5,000 metric tonnes of wheat and 10,000 metric tonnes of sugar to Bhutan as per Thimphu's requirements.
Earlier this year, India restricted the export of the two commodities to strengthen India's food security.
The Army chief called on the King on Saturday besides meeting Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan.
"General Manoj Pande #COAS called on His Majesty the King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and discussed aspects of enhancing the enduring bilateral relationship between the two Nations," the Army said in a tweet.