The 3rd Development Cooperation Talks between India & Bhutan took place virtually. The Indian side was led by Rahul Chhabra, Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs while the Bhutan side was led by Kinga Singye, Foreign Secretary, Bhutan.
- During the meeting, both sides agreed to implement new projects in Bhutan in sectors like road infrastructure, water management and COVID-19 management.
- India has committed INR 4500 crores for the implementation of development projects and INR 400 crores for the transitional Trade Support Facility under Bhutan’s 12th Five Year Plan (2018-2023).
- The two sides reviewed the progress of the ongoing Project Tied Assistance (PTA) as well as the Small Development Projects (SDPs)/High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) under Bhutan’s 12th Five Year Plan.
India’s Investment under Bhutan’s 12th Five Year Plan
i.The Bilateral Development Cooperation talks are an important mechanism for reviewing India’s development partnership with Bhutan.
ii.Under Bhutan’s 12th Five Year Plan, 77 large and intermediate projects and 524 Small Development Projects (SDPs)/High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) are at various stages of implementation.
iii.The two sides agreed to hold the 4th Development Cooperation Talks on a mutually agreed date.
Recent Related News:
October 22, 2020, India-Assisted Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project, a Bhutan-India Friendship project in Bhutan won the 2020 Brunel Medal for Excellence in Civil Engineering at the Annual Institution of Civil Engineers(ICE) Awards 2020 organised by the United Kingdom (UK) based ICE.
About Bhutan
Prime Minister – Lotay Tshering
Capital – Thimphu
Currency – Bhutanese Ngultrum
