India and Bhutan, during President Pranab Mukherjee's state visit to the kingdom, on Saturday reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the special friendship between the two countries and agreed to continue their close coordination and cooperation in not allowing each other's territory to be used for interests inimical to the other.
"Both sides expressed satisfaction over the excellent state of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the special friendship between the two countries," a joint statement released by leaders of both nations read.
"The two sides reaffirmed the trust and confidence between the two countries and their mutual security interests. They agreed to continue their close coordination and cooperation with each other on issues relating to their national interest, and not allow each other's territory to be used for interests inimical to the other," the joint statement added.
India also reiterated its commitment to Bhutan's socio-economic development and continued support for the successful implementation of latter's 11th Five Year Plan (2013-18).
President Mukherjee restated the Indian government's support to education and capacity building of Bhutan. During his visit, he launched the School Reform Programme of the Royal Government of Bhutan, a Rs 348.72 crores project, and also inaugurated the Yelchen Central School.
The joint statement also stated that President Mukherjee announced the doubling of the Ambassador's Scholarship Programme from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crores per annum.
India and Bhutan's bilateral relations date back to 1949 when the two countries signed the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. This treaty, which provides for perpetual peace and friendship, free trade and commerce, and equal justice to each other's citizens, was updated and signed by King Wangchuck in February 2007.
