Rajnath Singh meets visiting Bhutan Prime Minister

NEW DELHI: Home Minister Rajnath Singh today called on visiting Bhutan Prime Minister Lyonchhen Tshering and discussed with him various bilateral issues.

During the meeting here, the Home Minister conveyed India's gratitude to the Bhutanese government for curbing activities of Indian Insurgent Groups taking refuge in the Himalayan nation.

Singh said the joint operations and coordination among the security forces of the two countries at ground level has dealt a body blow to such groups.

There has been a significant drop in incidents of kidnappings in the border areas during the last six months, he told the visiting leader.

The Home Minister hoped for coordination among border security agencies to check other illegal cross-border activities including sandalwood smuggling and unlicensed use of telephone.

Singh commended Bhutan's policy that their territory shall not be used for anti-India activities.

The Home Minister recalled that in June last year Bhutan was the first country visited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after assuming office.

Both the leaders reiterated their commitment to a mutually beneficial relationship between the two neighbouring countries.

Members of the Bhutanese delegation and senior officers from Ministries of Home and External Affairs were present in the meeting.