Sushma calls up Bhutan PM for help

Swaraj spoke to Tobgay after Rajnath requested her to seek assistance from Bhutan to tackle the banned militant group.

In the wake of reports that militant outfit NDFB(S) has set up bases in the dense forests along the Indo-Bhutan border, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has spoken to Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay seeking action against the terror group. She has been “assured of support”, according to the ministry.

MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said Swaraj was also trying to seek help of other “friendly neighbouring” countries to tackle terrorism, which India sees as a “national endeavour”.

“The External Affairs Minister has talked to the Bhutanese leadership at the highest level. We are also working on having others who could possibly help in this,” the spokesperson said, adding that “this issue came up following possible leads which indicated that there may be others beyond Indian borders where we require assistance”.

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Swaraj spoke to Tobgay Thursday evening after Home Minister Rajnath Singh requested her to seek assistance from Bhutan to tackle the banned militant group.

In 2003-04, Bhutan had carried out a massive operation against ULFA militants and wiped out its bases from that country. India has also been asking Myanmar to take action against Northeast militant groups which often sneak into that country after carrying out attacks.

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