Embassy of India

          Today is a celebration of India-Bhutan education cooperation, capacity building and training programmes. We mark it as Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Day, 62^nd anniversary of the formalization by the Government of India of ITEC as a global cooperation programme in 1964.

          Education cooperation is particularly special for India-Bhutan ties. Historical records say that a group of 46 Bhutanese students travelled to Kalimpong, India for schooling in 1914. It has been recorded that a Bhutan education office operated in Kalimpong in 1950s, and available information suggests the Government of India Scholarships for students from Bhutan were extended as early as 1955 for a cohort of 30 students. We are delighted with the presence of Lyonpo Dago Tshering, who recalls travelling to India in 1955 for three years schooling, followed by three years of college in Mumbai under Indian scholarship. Our people were connected and India-Bhutan education cooperation with government support was functioning well before formal diplomatic presence of the Indian Embassy in Bhutan.

          The second special feature of our education and training cooperation is its significant contribution to Bhutan and for India-Bhutan relations. Ten thousand alumni of Indian education and training scholarships in Bhutan seems a conservative estimate of these ties. We are glad to see so many alumni from India having excelled as distinguished leaders, dignitaries and high officials in Bhutan. We see them as living bridges of cooperation and friendship between India and Bhutan.

          Third distinguishing aspect of this bilateral cooperation is growth of scholarships in India in parallel with support for the development of education sector in Bhutan. In the 1960s, Indian teachers started serving in schools across Bhutan. In recent decades, we have continued to support expansion and progress through infrastructure at schools, colleges and other institutions in Bhutan. We place education and training cooperation as a key component of Embassy and Government endeavors.

          In the last academic year, an estimated 1,900 plus Bhutanese students received education scholarships at universities and colleges in India.

          In recent months, India has doubled the number of ICCR scholarships to 60 and expanded the number of Nalanda University scholarships from 30 to 55. Ambassador’s scholarships were doubled three years ago and we are optimizing its benefits in the current year.

          Apart from educational degrees, at least 500 Bhutanese officials and experts attended sponsored training programmes in India last year. Out of these, ITEC training received 325 Bhutanese officials and experts in India last year and current usage indicates same number to be reached this year too. Other training activities are implemented by the Royal Civil Service Commission or Royal government organs under bilateral cooperation.

          As part of India-Bhutan development cooperation under the 13^th Five Year Plan, education and training is an important component. Development of central schools, infrastructure for colleges of the Royal University of Bhutan, STEM teachers from India, teachers immersion and student exchanges, digital skilling add up to Ngultrum 14.6 billion or about 15% of the support for the plan period of 2024-29. Numerous other plan projects and cooperative activities have training and skills development inbuilt as part of our development cooperation.

          I see the presence of you all today in this celebration as an expression of support for India-Bhutan education, training and skill building cooperation. In an uncertain, turbulent and volatile world, steadiness and strength of India-Bhutan cooperation assumes even greater salience. I count on your support for continued India-Bhutan partnership, including for education, training and capacity enhancement

          Thank you, Tashi Delek!