Embassy of India

2011-12

A. Excerpts from MEA Annual report wrt Bhutan

India and Bhutan share uniquely warm and special relations based on mutual trust and understanding. India is providing assistance and support to Bhutan in its efforts towards social development, economic prosperity and strengthening of its democratic institutions. Regular high level exchange of visits, close consultations and mutually beneficial cooperation underpin India's relations with Bhutan. Their Majesties, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, the King and Queen of Bhutan, respectively, visited India from 23-31 October, 2011, the first ever visit abroad by the royal couple after their wedding on 13 October, 2011.

Other important high-level visits from Bhutan during the year were by the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Mr Lyonchen Jigmi Y Thinley; the Minister of Economic Affairs, Mr Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk; the Chief Justice of Bhutan, Mr Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye, and the Speaker of the Bhutanese Parliament, Mr Jigme Tshultim.

The Indian Home Minister, Shri P Chidambaram, attended the 4th SAARC Home/Interior Ministers' meeting in Bhutan. The Minister of State for Defence, Dr M M Pallam Raju, took part in Project Dantak's golden jubilee celebrations in Thimphu. Other important high-level visits to Bhutan from India included visits by the National Security Adviser, Shri Shiv Shankar Menon; the Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Nitish Kumar; the Chief Minister of Assam, Shri Tarun Gogoi; the Foreign Secretary, Shri Ranjan Mathai; the Chief Election Commissioner of India, Dr S Y Quraishi; Chairman, and by the Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Shri Charles Pyngrope.

India continues to be Bhutan's largest trade and development partner. During the India-Bhutan bilateral Trade Talks held in New Delhi in August 2011, India agreed to Bhutan's request for use of Dalu and Ghasupara land custom stations for Bhutanese cargo and notification of four additional entry/exit points. India is providing assistance for the implementation of 68 projects in key socioeconomic sectors, such as agriculture, information and communications technology (ICT), media, health, education, capacity-building, energy, culture and infrastructure. Under the Small Development Projects (SDPs), India is providing a grant to Bhutan for implementation of 1,900 projects in the country's 20 districts and 205 blocks. The construction of the Punatsangchhu-I Hydro-Electric Project (HEP) is in full swing and the implementation of Punatsangchhu-II and Mangdechhu HEPs are also progressing well, bringing both countries closer to the target of jointly developing nearly 10,000 MW of hydropower in Bhutan by 2020 for export to India.

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

C. Details of Incoming Visits by Heads of State / Heads of Government / Vice Presidents / Foreign Ministers and Equivalent to India in 2011