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The 2nd Annual India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks were held on 29 November 2019 in New Delhi. The Indian delegation was led by Mr. T.S. Tirumurti, Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs, and the delegation from Bhutan was led by Mr. Kinga Singye, Foreign Secretary of Bhutan. Mrs Ruchira Kamboj, Indian Ambassador in Thimphu also attended the talks.
Both sides recalled the successful and productive visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to Bhutan in August 2019 with several significant outcomes which included inauguration of Mangdhechu HEP and Ground Earth Station for South Asia Satellite and launch of RuPay card in Bhutan. They also recalled the very successful visit to India of Prime Minister of Bhutan Dr. Lotay Tshering in December 2018 and in May 2019 for the swearing-in ceremony of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Foreign Minister of Bhutan, Dr Tandi Dorji also visited India from 17-23 November 2019 and held talks with the External Affairs Minister of India.
The Annual Development Cooperation Talks is an important bilateral mechanism to review the entire gamut of India’s development partnership with Bhutan. Government of India has committed assistance of Rs. 4500 Crore for implementation of development projects and Rs. 400 Crore for transitional Trade Support Facility during Bhutan’s 12th Five Year Plan (2018 – 2023). 51 large and intermediate projects and 359 Small Development Projects (SDPs)/High Impact Community Development Projects (HICPDs) are at various stages of implementation under the 12th Five Year Plan.
With Bhutan’s 12th Five Year Plan (2018-2023) entering its second year, the two sides reviewed and expressed satisfaction at the overall progress of the ongoing Project Tied Assistance (PTA) projects, as well as the SDPs/HICDPs. Bhutanese Foreign Secretary commended India’s role in socio-economic transformation of Bhutan and also highlighted the impact of HICDPs at the grassroots level. During the talks, both sides also agreed to implement 21 new PTA projects, in addition to 51 ongoing ones.
India deeply values its privileged partnership with Bhutan. Indian side committed to continue support to Bhutan in its development efforts.
