Embassy of IndiaThimphu

2007-08

A. Excerpts from MEA Annual report wrt Bhutan

A number of high level visits and bilateral exchanges from both sides further strengthened and deepened this relationship. Pranab Mukherjee, External Affairs Minister visited Bhutan in July 2007. During the visit bilateral political, economic and other issues of mutual interest were discussed besides signing of the Agreement between the Government of India and the Royal Government of Bhutan on implementation of the largest ever 1095 MW Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project. It was agreed that the project will be funded by Government of India at a total estimated cost of Rs 3514.81 crore with 40% as grant and 60% as loan.

Other important visits from India were that of Navin Chawla, Election Commissioner (June 2007), Naresh Dayal, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare (August 2007) and Wajahat Habibullah, Chief Information Commissioner who led a 6-member delegation (October 2007) in connection with various events. From Bhutan, Prime Minister Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk (April 2007), Minister for Labour and Human Resources, Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering (April 2007), Minister for Home and Cultural Affairs, Lyonpo Jigmi Y. Thinley (April 2007), Minister for Information and Communication, Lyonpo Leki Dorji (August and September 2007) and Lyonpo Nado Rinchen, Deputy Minister for National Environment Commission (October 2007) visited India for various SAARC and other meetings.

The cooperation extended to further strengthen peopleto-people contact and various exchanges took place in this direction. India-Bhutan Foundation (IBF) met in Paro in May 2007 to discuss various proposals to improve people-to-people interaction. There was a visit by a delegation from Antarashtriya Sahyog Parishad to Bhutan. Kathak and Rajasthani dance troupes visited and performed in Haa, Thimphu, Gedu and Phuentsholing. A 15-member delegation from the Samdrup Jongkhar chapter of Bhutan-India Friendship Association (BIFA) chapter participated in the Bohagi Utsav organized by Bhutan-India Friendship Association. A 23-member delegation of students from Guwahati University visited Bhutan in September 2007 and gave dance performances at the Sherubtse College, Kanglung under the sponsorship of IBF. A 12-member NCC cadet team also visited Bhutan in November 2007.

India continues to be the largest development partner of Bhutan. Various projects agreed under the 9th plan are progressing satisfactorily. Bilateral cooperation in the hydropower sector has been carried forward with successful commissioning of all the six units of 1020 MW Tala Hydroelectric Project and signing of an Agreement on implementation of 1095 MW Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project. Punatsangchhu–I Project Authority (PHPA) has been constituted and its first meeting was held in Thimphu in October 2007. The work on preparation of DPRs for Punatsangchhu–II and Mangdechhu Hydroelectric projects by WAPCOS and NHPC respectively is on-going and is expected to be completed as per the schedule. The establishment of one million tonne Dungsam Cement Project at Nganglam with the assistance of Government of India has been revived. Government of India will extend an assistance of Rs 300 crore for the project. To facilitate ‘Collaboration in the area of Customization/Development and Implementation of e-Governance Applications’ an MoU was signed between National Informatics Centre Services Incorporated (NICSI), Government of India and the Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Information and Communications, Royal Government of Bhutan.

India was the leading trade partner of Bhutan. In the period 2006-07, India imported goods and services worth Rs 1448 Crores from Bhutan. For the same period our exports to Bhutan amounted to Rs 1305 Crores. A Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) team of Annual Report 2007-2008 6 businessmen/industrialists visited Bhutan in July 2007 to explore opportunities for investment and trade. During the period 2006-07 revenues from export of electricity to India comprised about 75% of Bhutan’s total revenues.

The Government of India presented over four thousand Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to the Royal Government of Bhutan. These machines were used successfully in the mock polls. Officials of the Government of India deputed by the Election Commission observed the mock elections in Bhutan in April/May 2007. Bhutanese media personnel were in India to familiarize themselves on election coverage. At the request of the Royal Government of Bhutan, Government of India facilitated holding of a workshop in Thimphu for senior bureaucrats in Bhutan on ‘Democratic Constitutional Monarchy’ with eminent civil servants from India acting as resource persons.

Cooperation in Security and Border Management continued through the meetings of Group on Border Security and Management at the Central level (November 2007) and border district coordination meetings at State governments level between Assam, West Bengal and Royal Government of Bhutan. (November 2007).

B. Budget allocation to Bhutan

C. List of MoUs signed between India and Bhutan in 2024

D. Details of Incoming Visits by Heads of State / Heads of Government / Vice Presidents / Foreign Ministers and Equivalent to India in 2007