Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra has said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement to provide Rs 10,000 crore to Bhutan for supporting its 13th five-year plan includes India's support for the country's economic stimulus package.

While addressing a special briefing on PM Modi’s State Visit to Bhutan, Kwatra noted that India has been the largest development partner of Bhutan since the inception of Bhutan’s next five year plan process, reported ANI.

Kwatra recalled India had given support of Rs 5000 crore for Bhutan’s 12th five year plan.

Kwatra was quoted as saying by ANI, “Another very significant outcome for India-Bhutan relationship from this ongoing state visit of Prime Minister was the announcement by Prime Minister that the government of India will be supporting the 13th five year plan of Bhutan to the tune of Rs 10,000 crore. This assistance for the 13th five year plan of 10,000 crores also includes India’s support for Bhutan’s economic stimulus package. As you are aware, India has been the largest development partner of Bhutan since the inception of Bhutan’s next five year plan process.”

“Just to give a comparative frame of reference for the 12th five year plan, the total support provided was 5000 crores. So, the quantum announced by the honourable Prime Minister today in the public event as also in the private conversation is double of what was announced for the previous five year plan. And this is again a manifestation of one clear strength of our partnership and also manifestation of our commitment to step up our support for the 13th five year plan which essentially is a very important segment of bilateral cooperation between the two systems between the two peoples. Also, our assistance is a very crucial part of our partnership. And what it does most importantly is allow both the countries to push forward our bilateral engagement in the areas of common priorities,” he added.

Earlier, Modi announced India will provide support of Rs 10,000 crores to Bhutan over the next five years.