Blitz Bureau
THE India-Bhutan Development Cooperation talks held in New Delhi recently discussed various components of the support and reviewed the progress in the implementation of the projects approved in previous rounds.
The Indian delegation was led by Secretary West Tanmaya Lal and the Bhutanese delegation was led by the Foreign Secretary of Bhutan Aum Pema Choden.
The meeting served as a key bilateral mechanism to review the full spectrum of India’s development assistance to Bhutan, aligned with the priorities of Bhutan’s 13th Five Year Plan (2024–2029). The Government of India has committed INR/Nu 10,000 crore (INR 100 billion) in total support, encompassing Project Tied Assistance (PTA), High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP), the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP), and Programme Grants.
Both sides reviewed ongoing cooperation, including the implementation status of 61 PTA projects valued at INR/Nu 4958 crore and 283 HICDPs worth INR/Nu 417 crore. The talks also covered the utilisation of INR/Nu 750 crore already disbursed under the ESP and INR/Nu 100 crore as Programme Grant.
In a key outcome of the talks, the Bhutanese side presented the second tranche of PTA proposals under the 13th Five Year Plan. Ten new projects worth INR/Nu 1113 crore were jointly approved, covering sectors such as healthcare, transport connectivity, urban infrastructure, and livestock development. Both sides agreed to revise allocations for some existing PTA projects in light of changing requirements on the ground. During the meeting, the Indian side conveyed that it will continue to work together with the Government of Bhutan on its development agenda, in line with the shared vision of the King of Bhutan and Prime Minister of India, and based on the priorities of the Government and the people of Bhutan.
