【Thimphu】Making Bhutan his first foreign destination, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday night said having a good neighbour is important for a country’s happiness, and in its absence a nation cannot live in peace, despite prosperity in comments that may be seen as reference to China and Pakistan.
Embarking on a two-day trip here to display “special and unique” status for Bhutan in India’s foreign policy, Prime Minister Modi vowed to nurture bilateral relations which he described as “B2B — Bharat to Bhutan” as he held talks with the Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and the Premier Tshering Tobgay, discussing an entire gamut of ties. He made the remarks while reminding Bhutan that one of the factors responsible for its happiness was having a good neighbour like India.
○'Enlightened national interest' ; Modi’s foreign policy mantra
【New Delhi】India’s foreign policy, with its civilisational roots and heritage, is based on the principles of developing peaceful and friendly relations with all countries. We will pursue our international engagement based on enlightened national interest, combining the strength of our values with pragmatism, leading to a doctrine of mutually beneficial relationships.
The SAARC summit in Kathmandu this November will see all countries give another push to SAFTA, the free trade agreement, while they will discuss cooperation on everything from power distribution and roadways to the welfare of overseas workers. However, trade with SAARC countries at present represents a small fraction of India’s GDP, while the GDP of all SAARC nations combined is about 5-6 per cent of the world total.
At a book launch in his house, Mr. Modi told journalists that “What happens in the countries around the neighbourhood impact India most greatly. Not what happens more than 2,000 km away.”
○Govt may evacuate Indians from Iraqi cities
【New Delhi】The government is exploring options to evacuate nearly 100 Indians stranded in the Iraqi cities of Mosul and Tikrit, which have fallen to the advancing militants of a jihadist organisation linked to al-Qaeda.
With the Iraqi government forces supported by civilian volunteers struggling to repel the jihadists, New Delhi has advised all Indian citizens living in the West Asian country to leave. It has also advised all Indians against travelling to Iraq.
【News source】
A good neighbour important for happiness: PM
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