Guwahati: The Bhutanese have ordered the closing of the international border gates along the southern part of the country from 6 p.m. on November 29 until 6 p.m. on November 30 in view of the primary rounds of the upcoming assembly elections.
An official communiqué urged the general public to plan their travels accordingly, and they were asked not to travel through the international checkpoints during the period of closure.
National Assembly elections will be held in Bhutan on November 30, 2023, and January 9, 2024.
Landlocked Bhutan shares its borders with only two countries: India (to the south) and China (to the north).
Bhutan’s border with India is 699 km long and adjoins the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, and Sikkim.
The king of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, accompanied by senior officials, paid an official visit to India earlier this month. He initially landed in Assam before proceeding to New Delhi, where he met several senior leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During the king's visit, New Delhi and Thimphu agreed on several new initiatives to bolster collaboration in trade, technology, and cross-border connectivity, including a survey for the first rail link between the two sides to be built with Indian support.
Notably, India is Bhutan's largest trading partner. Major exports from India to Bhutan are mineral products, machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment, base metals, vehicles, vegetable products, plastics, and articles.
The major items Bhutan exports to India are electricity, ferro-silicon, cement, dolomite, carbides of calcium carbides of silicon, cement clinkers, timber and wood products, potatoes, cardamom, and fruit products.
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