2023-09-07 09:35:29
Shruti M. M.
India is one of the countries that strives to maintain good relations with its neighbours. India has adopted a path of condescension even to Pakistan and China, which have come with problems from time to time. Our country is also the first to come with the promise of help in emergency situations of neighboring countries. India has provided neighborly assistance during times like covid pandemic and natural calamities. Therefore, these countries also try to maintain good relations with India, except China unfortunately. A new piece of news has come out regarding this neighborhood collaboration. It is that India has sanctioned $10 million to build a railway from Bhutan to India’s north-eastern state. This project will be completed with the distinction of being the first international railway connecting India and Bhutan.
Bhutan is a dreamland
Bhutan is one of the places on the bucket list of any travel-loving Indian. With its beautiful scenery, Buddhist culture and no honking vehicles, the railway to Bhutan is aimed at tourism. India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said while explaining about this project that connects Kokrajhar in Assam and Gelefu in Bhutan that it also has trade and industrial objectives. About 57.5 km long railway line is about to become a reality.
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Now tourists will flock to Assam
It is pertinent to note that the India-Bhutan railway will give Assam a greater prominence on the world tourism map. Bhutan is a country that shares borders with the Himalayas on one side and the four Indian states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Sikkim on the other. Therefore, Bhutan has the first place in the foreign trips of Indian tourists.
As the railway starts from Assam, Indians who want to see Bhutan and foreigners coming to India will reach Assam in large numbers. The foreign minister also said that the influx of tourists will contribute greatly to Assam’s economic growth.
The project is expected to be completed in 2026. Another fact is that the railway will facilitate the movement of goods between the two countries. All this time the exchange of goods and services was done by road. Transporting goods that rely solely on roads has often created problems such as high costs and weather challenges. This railway will also be a relief from that.
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The idea originated 18 years ago
To be precise, India and Bhutan reached an agreement on this railway on 25 January 2005. The then Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, and the King of Bhutan, Truck Gyalpo, also signed an MoU in this regard. The agreement was to carry out a feasibility study of developing the railway from the states of Assam and West Bengal. The route would be to any town on the Bhutan border, that was the decision taken that day. Later last year it was decided to go for the Assam-Gelefu railway. It was in December 2022. The plan is to strengthen business and trade relations with tourism
Bhutan Foreign Minister Dr. Tandi Dorji said.
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Those who cannot wait till 2026 can opt for these means
Bhutan is one of the countries that Indian citizens can visit without a visa. At present Bhutan can be reached by road, air and rail. Those who wish to travel by air can travel from New Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra and Guwahati via Bhutan Airlines. A passport is also not required if you have a voter ID card in India.
by air
Paro International Airport is the nearest Bhutan airport for Indians. The airport is located in Paro, a province of Bhutan at an altitude of 7300 feet above sea level. As soon as you hear the height, you will understand the risk. It is a riverside airport in the mountain range. Only 20 pilots are allowed to land a plane here, which is one of the riskiest places in the world to land a plane. Air is also the only way to reach Bhutan from India. Depart from Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri, West Bengal.
by road
Bus and car journeys can be chosen for this. The city of Phunsholing in Bhutan is first accessible by road. From Kolkata, it takes 18 hours to travel. On the other hand, if the journey departs from Siliguri with air service, you can reach Bhutan in 4 hours. The special feature of road trip is that you can enjoy alpine mountain ranges and tropical regions.
Rail travel
As there is no direct train service from India, you can board the train from Hasimara station or New Alipurduar stations on the border.
And some open secret agendas for India
India’s neighborhood cooperation also has an overtly secret agenda of strategically overcoming China’s challenges. Working towards the realization of the dream of a united China, China has set its eyes on countries like Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan as well as crossing Indian borders. If Bhutan is captured, it will be easy for China to reach India. Therefore, India-Bhutan relations are maintained under the self-given status of protectors of Bhutan. The words of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on August 28, 1959 that any invasion against Bhutan would be considered as an invasion against India should also be read. During the Sino-Indian conflict in 1962, Indian forces were able to be deployed in Bhutan through this relationship.
Similarly, India is making a move to connect Bangladesh ports by road. NH 208 starts from Khoa in Tripura and is extended to Chittagong port in Bangladesh. The Kolkata-Bangkok highway connecting India, Myanmar and Thailand is also expected to become a reality soon.
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