KATHMANDU , FEB 09 - The Economic Affairs Minister of Bhutan Khandu Wangchuk is arriving here on a three-day visit on Tuesday.

Special Envoy of the Bhutanese Prime Minister Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Wangchuk will extend an invitation to Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal to attend the 16th SAARC Summit scheduled for April 28 - 29 in Thimphu, according to the Foreign Ministry. 

Wangchuk will pay a courtesy call on the prime minister on Wednesday and meet Deputy Prime Minister Sujata Koirala.

Bhutan is holding the summit for the first time after the Maldives, another SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Conference) member state, refused to organise the summit citing global economic meltdown and its adverse impact on the economy.

Bhutan had earlier announced that the summit would focus on climate change and eradication of extremism and terrorism from the region.

Meanwhile, SAARC home ministers’ meet, which was scheduled for Feb. 25-26 in Islamabad, has been put off for the third week of March upon Nepal’s request.

The Home Ministry had requested the SAARC Secretariat to change the date due to Home Minister Bhim Rawal’s planned visit to the United Kingdom during that time.

Posted on: 2010-02-09 09:28

Post Your Comment

Please note that all the fields marked * are mandatory.
* Full Name
* Address
* Email Address
* Comment
* Captcha	Get another CAPTCHA code
Note:	Comments containing abusive words or slander shall not be published.