Embassy of IndiaThimphu

A. Excerpts from MEA Annual report wrt Bhutan

India and Bhutan share close and friendly relations characterized by deep mutual trust and understanding. The Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay visited Guwahati, India on 31 March, 2017 to attend the opening of the ‘Namami Brahmaputra’ river festival as the Guest of Honour. Finance Minister, Lyonpo Namgay Dorji, visited India on 3 April, 2017 to attend the SASEC Finance Ministers Meeting in New Delhi. On the sidelines, he held bilateral meeting with the Finance Minister of India, Shri Arun Jaitley.

The Minister of State of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste visited Bhutan from 19-21 April 2017 for attending the International Conference on Autism and Neuro-developmental Disorders.

Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat visited Bhutan from 27-30 April 2017. While on the visit, he received audiences with His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan and His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the 4th King of Bhutan and held meetings with the Chief Operations Officer of Royal Bhutan Army.

Embassy of India, Thimphu organized a Mega Yoga Session to commemorate the 3rd International Day of Yoga at the Royal Institute of Management, Thimphu on 18 June 2017. Prime Minister of Bhtuan, Tshering Tobgay was the Chief Guest on the occasion.

A three day workshop to understand the Committee Functioning System of Parliament and the role of Committee Secretaries was held at Paro, Bhutan from 24 - 26 July 2017. The Workshop was facilitated by five resource persons from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariats of Parliament of Bhutan.

Dr. Sunil Baliram Gaikwad, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha led the Indian delegation to Thimphu to attend the first Asian Parliamentary Assembly's (APA) Standing Committee Meeting on Social and Cultural Affairs which was held from 31 August-1 September 2017.

Dr. S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary of India, visited Bhutan from 2-5 October 2017. During the visit, Foreign Secretary met Dasho Sonam Tshong, Foreign Secretary of Bhutan. Foreign Secretary had an audience with Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan and Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the 4th King of Bhutan and called on the PrimeMinister of Bhutan, Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay, and the Foreign Minister of Bhutan, Lyonpo Damcho Dorji, Foreign Secretary held discussions on the complete range of bilateral relations, including implementation of the ongoing Government of India assisted projects under Bhutan's 11th Five Year Plan (FYP), priorities of Bhutan for the XIIth FYP, trade and economic ties, hydro-power cooperation, and people to people contacts. Both sides reviewed preparations for the celebrations of 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2018. The two sides also shared their perspective on regional and other issues of mutual interest.

The 7th India- Bhutan Small Development Project Committee Meeting of the 11th FYP was held on 6 November 2017 in Thimphu.

The 6th Annual India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks were held on 10 November 2017 in New Delhi. The Indian delegation was led by Mr. Vijay Gokhale, Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) , and the delegation from Bhutan was led by Dasho Sonam Tshong, Foreign Secretary of Bhutan. With Bhutan's 11th FYP (2013-2018) entering its final phase, the two sides noted with satisfaction the overall progress in the implementation of ongoing bilateral development projects in Bhutan. The Bhutanese side conveyed appreciation of the Royal Government of Bhutan for the invaluable support of the Government of India for their socio-economic development priorities, and for timely disbursements of funds for the ongoing projects. The two sides also initiated discussions on Government of India's assistance to the 12th FYP (2018-2023) of the Royal Government of Bhutan. Apart from the Plan Talks, one Project Monitoring Committee Meeting was held in April 2017 to review the progress of Project-Tied Assistance (PTA) projects.

The 12th round of India Bhutan Secretary Level Meeting on Border Management and Security was held in Thimphu from 13-14 November 2017. The Indian delegation was led by Shri B.R. Sharma, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, and the delegation from Bhutan was led by Dasho Sonam Topgay, Secretary, Ministry of Home & Cultural Affairs.

A number of officials from Bhutan visited India for training programmes in prestigious training institutions of India as well as under the ITEC programme. The prestigious Nehru Wangchuck Scholarship were awarded to eight Bhutanese scholars for the year 2017-18, and the Ambassador's Scholarship was awarded to 860 Bhutanese students pursuing education in India on self-financing basis. The allocation of amount sanctioned for this scholarship has been increased from 2 Crores to 4 Crores per year with effect from (w. e. f) the year 2017-18.

Treaties/Conventions/Agreements Concluded by India with Other countries during the year 2017

An Agreement between the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan and Reserve Bank of India on cross border supervision was signed in Thimphu on 13 April 2017, to establish an arrangement for sharing of supervisory information and enhancing co-operation in the area of banking supervision.

The new Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit between India and Bhutan has come into force w. e. f 29 July 2017.

The Golden Jubilee of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan is being celebrated in the year 2018. To mark the launch of the Golden jubilee celebrations, External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bhutan H.E. Lyonpo Damcho Dorji, on 12 January 2018, jointly unveiled the 'Special logo' for the Golden Jubilee Celebrations in New Delhi and Thimphu through video-conference. As part of the celebrations of the golden jubilee, besides high-level exchanges, both India and Bhutan have planned a series of special commemorative initiatives, cultural activities, exhibitions and seminars throughout the year.

B. Budget allocation to Bhutan under India’s Technical Cooperation Programme

C. List of MoUs signed between India and Bhutan in 2017

D. Details of Incoming Visits by Heads of State / Heads of Government / Vice Presidents / Foreign Ministers and Equivalent to India in 2017

E. Private Transit Visits by Heads of State / Heads of Government / Vice Presidents / and Equivalent

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