GUWAHATI: Two-day Festival of Assam is being organised in Thimphu in Bhutan since Thursday as part of the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan. Assam has a long border and age-old people-to-people ties with the Himalayan country.
A delegation from Assam led by the minister, Cultural Affairs Department of Assam, Naba Kumar Doley, eight MLAs and other officials participated in the events. Doley recalled the age-old relations between Bhutan and Assam and the trading activities between Bhutan and Assam. He also spoke of the emerging new cultural and trading ties.
A cultural troupe from Assam led by Somnath Bora Oja enthralled the audience with their stellar performance of Bihu and drum based performances.
Festival is being organised at Thimphu, Bhutan with a two-day programme at Hotel Taj Tashi. Home Minister of Bhutan, Dawa Gyeltshen, Home Secretary of Bhutan, Sonam Topgay, the Ambassador of India to Bhutan, Jaideep Sarkar graced the inaugural ceremony, an official source here informed. The dignitaries and guests were also given a taste of Assamese cuisine.
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. A number of Assamese traders took part in the event.