Thimpu, Aug 17 (UNI) India and Bhutan on Saturday agreed to further strengthen the bilateral relationship and decided that both sides should explore areas beyond hydro power projects and would thus will be now focusing more on health care, education and science and technology.
Briefing reporters here, Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said, "Essentially I would like to highlight three pillars of relationship which has come out of that meeting - first the enduring nature of this partnership".
"It is a partnership which is based on mutual interest, but it is also based on mutual trust and on confidence between the Majesties and the Royal Bhutan government and the government of India, Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and at the people to people level," he said.
"It was felt that at a time when our Prime Minister (Modi) is beginning his second term, as the Prime Minister of Bhutan (Lotay Tshering), this is a new opportunity to enhance that relationship," Mr Gokhale said.
Second, Mr Gokhale emphasised is that beyond the traditional areas of cooperation, "both of will begin exploring new areas of cooperation".
"And the two areas were science and technology ....particularly in the field of education," Foreign Secretary said and pointed out the number of MoUs signed included on education.
He said there were pacts between the Royal University of Bhutan and Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, National Institute of Technology, Silchar in Assam and with the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
Both sides also inked MoU between Bhutan National Legal Institute and National Judicial Academy, Bhopal, on cooperation in Judicial Education and Mutual Exchanges. The Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law, Thimphu, Bhutan also inked a pact with the National Law School of India University, Bangalore on enhancing relations between the two parties.
Thirdly, both sides said there would be cooperation also in space sector.
India is ready to impart training to Bhutanese scientists and jointly work on 'small satellites'.
Health sector is another area which will get priority focus, he said.
During talks, Mr Gokhale said both the Prime Ministers covered entire gamut of bilateral relationship.

"The fundamental of relationship between India and Bhutan is hydro power sector but the two leaders agreed to go beyond this sector," Mr Gokhale emphasised.
Prime Minister Modi is on a two-day visit to Bhutan.
Mr Modi earlier said it is an 'honour for us' that India is a part of the development process in the Himalayan kingdom.
"Who will not want a friend and a neighbour like Bhutan. It is an honour for us that India is a part of the development of Bhutan,' the Prime Minister said after inaugurating RuPay card and other projects in presence of his Bhutanese counterpart Lotay Tshering.
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