The Bhutanese Prime Minister Jigme Thinley was on a four day visit to India from June 29-July 2. Mr. Thinley announced plans to jointly develop 10 hydel projects and cited information and communication technology as a potential area for cooperation1. Other sectors in which more cooperation was being sought include education and health. These areas will also come under focused attention in Bhutan’s New Economic Policy currently being drafted2.

The government meanwhile announced its first annual financial statement for 2008-2009, highlighting the achievements over the past year. The document noted that 8.1 per cent economic growth was registered. It also acknowledged the grant of Nu 227.9 billion given by India towards the Tenth Five Year plan3.

In other developments, Nepal has promised to take up the issue of Bhutanese refugees with the government in Thimpu. The National Front for Democracy had recommended the formation of a ‘high-level taskforce’ to address the issue systematically4.

• 1. “Bhutan PM to visit India,” Zee News, June 28, 2009, at http://www.zeenews.com/news542852.html; “Bhutan, India to develop 10 hydel projects by 2020,” Sify.com, June 30, 2009, at http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?a=jg4l5aghjcj&title=Bhutan_India_to_d...
• 2. “India plans to invest in Bhutan's hospitality sector,” Business India, July 1, 2009, at http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com/detailNews.aspx?aid=5405&sid=1
• 3. “Bhutan to come out with economic development policy,” June 29, 2009, The Hindu, at http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/003200906291021.htm
• 4. “Bhutanese refugees hail govt.,” My Republica, July 12, 2009, at http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=...