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Jan 27, 2005

India, Bhutan sign landmark rail link accord

NEW DELHI - Taking bilateral relations to new heights, India and Bhutan on Wednesday signed a landmark accord for establishing rail links between bordering towns and agreed to step up cooperation in the countries' agriculture and power sectors.

Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU), inked in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and visiting Bhutan King Jigme Singye Wangchuk, the two sides have agreed to conduct feasibility studies for the extension of the Indian railway network from West Bengal and Assam to the nearest border towns of Bhutan.

This comes as part of an overall strategy of upgrading border infrastructure and connectivity with Bhutan. It will examine links between Hasimara (West Bengal) and Phuentsholing (approximately 18 kilometers) and Bifurcation to Pasakha, 70-km stretch between Kokrajhar (Assam) and Gelephu, 40-km distance between Pathsala (Assam) and Nanglam, Rangla (Assam) and Samdrupjongkhar via Darranga (about 60 kms) and Banarhat (West Bengal) and Samtse (approximately 16 km).

The MoU was signed by Minister of State for Railways Naranbhai J Rathwa and the Bhutanese Foreign Minister Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk.

Wangchuk, who was accorded a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, told reporters that the step will have a "positive impact" on the economic relations of the two countries.

The king, who is the chief guest at Thursday's Republic Day celebrations, said the agreements would go a long way in furthering the close relations between the two countries.

(Asia Pulse/PTI)

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