61 projects amounting to Rs 5000 crore for 13th Plan of Bhutan approved at Plan talks during Vikram Misri’s visit

RAJESH SHARMA, EOI, JAIGAON, JULY 21, 2024: During his two-day visit to Bhutan on Friday and Saturday, Indian External Affairs Secretary Vikram Misri had an audience with the King of Bhutan, according to a press release issued by the Foreign Ministry of Bhutan. 

"India and Bhutan share an exemplary partnership characterized by trust, goodwill, and mutual understanding at all levels, strong bonds of friendship, and close people-to-people contacts. The two sides held wide-ranging discussions on all aspects of bilateral cooperation, including development partnership, energy, trade and investment, connectivity and trade infrastructure, technology, people-to-people ties, as well as other regional issues of mutual importance," the release stated.

"During the state visit of the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, to Bhutan in March 2024, the Prime Minister announced development support of Rs 10,000 crores for Bhutan’s 13th Five Year Plan period. During the Plan Talks, the two sides discussed various components of the assistance and implementation modalities for the India-assisted development projects," the release added.

"The Bhutanese side presented the Project Tied Assistance (PTA) proposals as well as the first tranche of the PTA projects to be implemented during the 13th Five Year Plan period. A total of 61 projects amounting to about Rs 5000 crore, covering sectors such as connectivity, infrastructure, energy, skill development, education, health, cultural heritage, capacity building, industrial parks, sports, youth exchanges, digital economy, e-mobility, and space technology were approved by the two sides, in line with the vision of His Majesty The King of Bhutan, and the priorities of the Royal Government and people of Bhutan," the release mentioned.

"The Royal Government informed the Government of India of the activities proposed to be conducted under the Economic Stimulus Programme. As per the request of the Royal Government, the Indian side agreed to positively consider frontloading the full amount of Rs 1,500 crore for the Economic Stimulus Programme in the first one and a half years, subject to progress on the implementation of proposals. The two sides agreed to hold the next Development Cooperation Talks in New Delhi at a mutually convenient date," the release concluded.