The Golden Jubilee of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan is being celebrated this year. As a part of these celebrations, a Festival of Assam was organized at Thimphu, Bhutan on March 22-23.
The inaugural ceremony was held at Hotel Taj Tashi, which was attended by the Bhutan home minister Dawa Gyeltshen, Assam cultural affairs minister Naba Kumar Doley and a host of dignitaries including 8 Assam MLAs.
While speaking at the event, Doley recalled the age-old relations between Bhutan and Assam and the trading activities between the two. He also spoke of the emerging new cultural and trading ties.
The two-day Assam festival includes B2B meeting between tour operators of Assam and Bhutan, seminar on educational opportunities in Assam for Bhutanese students, Bhutan based BBS News reported.
A cultural troupe from Assam led by Somnath Bora Oja enthralled the audience with their stellar performance of Bihu and drum-based performances.
The dignitaries and guests were also given a taste of Assamese cuisine, starting with Oou Tenga soup and other Assamese delicacies.
The India-Bhutan Trade and Transit Agreement of 1972 established a free trade regime between the two countries. Every year, Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry organizes the India-Bhutan Friendship Trade Fair in one of the bordering towns in which traders from India, including Assam, take part. The 8th India-Bhutan Friendship Fair was held in Gelephu in January this year.
