Embassy of IndiaThimphu

A. Excerpts from MEA Annual report wrt Bhutan

India and Bhutan share close and friendly relations characterized by utmost mutual trust and understanding. Both countries jointly celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations during the year 2018. High level bilateral exchanges and visits sustained the momentum of the bilateral ties during the special Golden Jubilee year.

Golden Jubilee Commemorative Events

Several commemorative events, covering various themes of the special bilateral ties including arts, crafts, sports, shared spiritual connections were jointly celebrated during the year, which have not only underlined our unique ties, but also highlighted the cultural and religious linkages, people-to-people contacts, close economic cooperation and academic/ youth exchanges. With the launch of the joint logo by External Affairs Minister and then Foreign Minister of Bhutan Lyonpo Damcho Dorji in January 2018, the events during the year covered various cities in India including in the bordering States of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and West Bengal, all of which have contributed to a better understanding of cultures on either side of the border.

Foreign Secretary Shri Vijay Gokhale paid an official visit to Bhutan on 1& 2 April 2018 to discuss bilateral matters, including the commemorative activities planned in 2018 to mark the Golden Jubilee of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries.

High-level exchanges: Expanding Development and Economic Partnership

Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay paid an official visit to India from 5-7 July 2018 at the invitation of Prime Minister. He was accompanied by Lyonpo Namgay Dorji, Finance Minister and senior officials of Royal Government of Bhutan. During the visit, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay called on the President of India and held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay thanked the people and GoI for latter’s support to Bhutan’s 11th Five Year Plan.

His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck visited New Delhi on 17 August 2018 to pay last respects to former Indian Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Foreign Secretary Shri Vijay Gokhale paid an official visit to Bhutan from 18-20 November 2018 and held discussion with the Bhutanese leadership and senior officials on a range of bilateral matters, including high-level exchanges, economic and development co-operation, hydro-power co-operation, people-to-people ties, and commemorative activities being jointly organized in the Golden Jubilee year.

The India-Bhutan bilateral consultations on development co-operation between India and Bhutan were held on 12 December 2018 in New Delhi. During the consultations, both sides reviewed the progress of implementation of the 11th Five Year Plan and discussed the elements of GoI’s development assistance for Bhutan’s 12th Five Year Plan.

At the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of Bhutan Dr. Lotay Tshering paid a State visit to India from 27-29 December 2018. He was accompanied by Lyonpo Dr. Tandi Dorji, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Lyonpo Loknath Sharma, Minister for Economic Affairs and senior officials from the Royal Government of Bhutan. Both sides reviewed the wide range of bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest. During the visit, the Government of India’s development assistance package for Bhutan’s 12th Five Year Plan for the period 1 November 2018 to 31 October 2023 was announced. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi conveyed that India will provide grant assistance of Rs. ₹4500 crore towards Bhutan’s 12th Five Year Plan, and a transitional Trade Support Facility of Rs. ₹400 crore over a period of five years to strengthen bilateral trade and economic linkages. Recognizing the importance of further expanding economic co-operation, both sides reviewed the implementation of ongoing bilateral hydro-power projects in Bhutan and agreed to expedite their implementation. They reiterated their commitment to jointly develop 10,000 MWs of hydropower generating capacity in Bhutan and in this regard discussed the Sankosh Hydropower Project. Both sides also expressed satisfaction at the progress of the 720 MW Mangdechhu HEP and welcomed the mutual understanding reached by the two sides on the tariff for the import of surplus power from the project by India.

Economic and hydro-power cooperation

During the year, work progressed steadily on the 720 MW Mangdechhu HEP in Bhutan, being built with GoI assistance; the project is due to be commissioned in 2019. Further, progress has been made during the year on the GoI-assisted Punatsangchhu-I, II hydro-power projects. The bi-national project Authority meetings of the Punatsangchhu-I, II and Mangdechhu projects were held on 2 & 3 May 2018 in New Delhi.

The India-Bhutan bilateral meeting on Trade and Transit, at Commerce Secretary Level was held on 17 & 18 May 2018, in Thimphu. The high-level meeting reviewed the decisions taken during the last bilateral meeting on Trade and Transit held on 18 & 19 January 2017 in New Delhi and discussed ways to deepen trade and economic partnership between the two countries.

The inaugural event of the ‘Bhutan-India Trade and Investment Promotion Expo’ (BITIPE), 7th Thematic Exhibition on Indian Handicrafts and 4th Agri- Flori Fair 2018 was held on 12 September 2018 near Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu. The event was organized by Bhutan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) and was supported by Embassy of India, Thimphu.

Capacity Building and People to People Ties

Around 1200 GoI Scholarships are awarded to Bhutanese students annually to pursue undergraduate and post graduate studies in Indian institutions of higher learning. During 2018, eight scholars under the Nehru-Wangchuck Scholarship, 864 under Ambassador’s scholarships and eighty-nine Undergraduate Scholarships benefitted. Twenty training slots are offered by GoI under ITEC. In FY 2018-19, a number of government officers from Bhutan are being trained in premier government training institutions along with IAS, IFS, IAAS & IRS officers of India. In addition, India has been deputing lecturers to various colleges affiliated to the Royal University of Bhutan. In FY 2018-19, eleven lecturers have been deputed to the Royal University of Bhutan from India.

B. Budget allocation to Bhutan under Technical and Economic Cooperation

C. Details of Incoming Visits by Heads of State / Heads of Government / Vice Presidents / Foreign Ministers and Equivalent to India in 2018

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