NEW DELHI, Dec 25 ? Bhutan Tuesday said that its action against Indian insurgent groups on its soil was necessary because their presence was hampering the economic interests of the Himalayan kingdom, reports PTI. ?Since the illegal entry of these militants into our country, our economic and commercial activities have been greatly hampered, resulting in negative growth in Bhutan,? Foreign minister Khandu Wangchuck told NDTV 24xTV in an interview in the Bhutanese capital, Thimphu.
?The security environment at the borders was not conductive for industrial growth,? he said. He also denied any widespread collaboration between the militants and the local population. Prime Minister Lyonpo Jimwai Thinley said ?before embarking on the military action, we knew that there will be repercussions on innocent people in the northern areas of our country and in the capital.?
When asked about the outside perception on the operations against the militant groups, Wangchuk said, ?We want to maintain good relations with all countries and are committed not to tolerate terrorism in any of its manifestions.? He also stressed that ?we will not allow our country to be used for activities against another country in any form.?