India to give Rs 15 crore grant to Bhutan’s education sector; Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary calls Prime Minister Thinley, expresses desire to enhance bilateral ties; Chinese Railway Ministry map shows China’s rail network stretching across the Chumbi Valle
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    • India has announced that it would be providing a grant of Rs 15 crores to the education sector of Bhutan. The Rs.15 crore grant is being made to the Kidu Foundation, which was jointly launched by Bhutan's Prime Minister Jigmi Y. Thinley and India's Ambassador to Bhutan Pavan K. Varma on February 3, 2011.1 With the New Economic Policy released on June 2010, Bhutan has branded itself as the “investment destination” in 2011.2

    At the bilateral level, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir called upon Prime Minister Thinley to discuss bilateral issues of mutual interest. Pakistan has expressed desire to enhance bilateral ties of cooperation including facilities for Bhutanese students in medicine and engineering as well as training of Bhutanese diplomats at the Foreign Service Academy.3

    Meanwhile, one media report noted that China would be extending its Tibet railway network into the Chumbi valley area by 2017. Sources state that this was confirmed by a Chinese Railways Ministry map, which showed China’s “long term railway network plan” stretching across the sensitive Chumbi Valley.4

    In other developments, US Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs, Maria Otero was on visit to Bhutan from February 10-11, 2011. According to media reports, situation of Bhutanese refugees in Nepal was the focus of discussion.5

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