Intro: The Bhutan King praised advances, reaffirming strong ties between nations
Thimphu
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri called on Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on Friday and reviewed progress in bilateral development cooperation during his official visit to the Himalayan nation.
During the audience, Misri shared details of the progress made under India-Bhutan development initiatives and discussed cooperation across various sectors.
Misri is visiting Bhutan at the invitation of his Bhutanese counterpart, Pema Lektup Dorji, to co-chair the fifth India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks, also known as Plan Talks, under Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan for 2024-29.
The Foreign Secretary also called on Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister Lyonpo DN Dhungyel. The two sides reviewed cooperation in development partnership, energy, trade and investment, connectivity, people-to-people exchanges and regional issues of mutual interest.
During the Plan Talks, officials assessed the implementation of India’s support package of INR/Nu. 100 billion, or ₹10,000 crore, for Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan. The assistance includes Project Tied Assistance, High Impact Community Development Projects, the Economic Stimulus Programme and programme grants.
India approved 12 new Project Tied Assistance projects worth INR/Nu. 3,320 million, covering infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, urban facilities and disaster management. With these additions, 82 projects worth INR/Nu. 68,600 million have been approved under the current plan.
Misri and Dorji also virtually inaugurated the Thimphu Ecological Park and Olakha Park. India handed over 45 electric vehicles to Bhutan under an e-mobility initiative.
The two sides also exchanged agreements for a ₹4,000-crore concessional line of credit for energy projects and cooperation between AIIMS, New Delhi, and Bhutan’s Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Science. The next Plan Talks will be held in New Delhi.
India –Bhutan plan talks
- India supports Bhutan’s thirteenth plan.
- Officials approved twelve new infrastructure projects.
- Eighty-two total projects now approved.
- Leaders virtually inaugurated two parks.
- India handed over electric vehicles.
