Even as Covid 19 induced lockdowns are expected to be put in place in West Bengal and Assam, Bhutan is confident of receiving supplies of essential items from India. Bhutan said that it will not stock up essential items like last time. India had gone into a strict lockdown last year from March 25 to contain the spread of Covid 19 cases.

At present too, several states have already imposed local restrictions to break the chain of transmission of the virus.

According to the local newspaper– the Bhutanese, Minister for Economic Affairs Loknath Sharma “said that unlike the first lockdown in India the same approach will not be taken this time in terms of stocking goods.”

The minister said even last time supply of essential goods had not been impacted despite the lockdown as movement of vehicles had not been stalled.

He also said that excess stocking of goods is also not advisable “as once any lockdown ends it is not fair to ask people to finish the old stocks and then only allow imports as there are others who want to import on their own.”

Sharma also said that Bhutan currently has enough rice to last it 30 -35 days. Besides, the Himalayan country has enough stocks of other essential commodities like diapers, toilet paper among other things to last for about 58 days.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Bhutanese counterpart Dr. Lotay Tshering today, thanking him for the support.

The Bhutanese leader expressed solidarity with India in its efforts against the recent wave of the Covid 19 pandemic.

Both Prime Ministers noted that the current crisis situation has only strengthened bilateral ties between the two neighbours.