Indian Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri paid an official visit to Bhutan from 19-20 July 2024 at the invitation of the Foreign Secretary of Bhutan, Aum Pema Choden. It was Shri Vikram’s first international visit as the Foreign Secretary after taking office.
During his visit, Shri Vikram met with His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan. The Indian Embassy in Bhutan noted the significance of the meeting and remarked, “A privilege to benefit from His Majesty’s guidance on ways to further strengthen unique ties of friendship and cooperation.”
Shri Vikram met dignitaries like the Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, D.N. Dhungyel, and Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay. They reviewed the historic ties between India and Bhutan and discussed ways to strengthen them in keeping with the priorities of the government and people of Bhutan. Along with Foreign Secretary Aum Pem, he co-chaired the 3rd India Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks of Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan (FYP). They reviewed the modalities of implementation and cooperation across diverse sectors of the development partnership. During the Indian Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s Bhutan visit from 22-23 March 2024, he announced India’s development support of Nu. one hundred billion for Bhutan’s 13th FYP period. The Government of Bhutan appreciated India’s continuing support of development projects in Bhutan.
During the visit of Shri Vikram, the Bhutanese delegation presented the Project Tied Assistance (PTA) proposals and the first portion of the implementation plan of the PTA proposal during the 13th FYP. Sixty-one projects with a valuation of Nu. 49.58 billion (INR 4,958 Crores) were approved during the meeting. These projects covered the sectors of infrastructure, energy, connectivity, skill development, health, cultural heritage, education, capacity building, sports, youth exchanges, industrial parks, digital economy, space technology, and e-mobility.
Foreign Secretaries Aum Pema and Shri Vikram virtually inaugurated 19 schools in Bhutan constructed during the 12th FYP period. According to the Indian Embassy, “The two sides expressed satisfaction at large number of development projects implemented under 12 FYP in sectors such as connectivity, infrastructure, cultural heritage, health, education, agriculture, sports, skilling, and digital economy.”
The Royal Government of Bhutan informed India of the proposed activities under the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP). The Indian delegation also agreed to allocate the total amount of Nu. fifteen billion (INR 1,500 Crores) to the ESP, as per the request of the Royal Government of Bhutan, subject to the progress of the proposal implementation.
During Shri Vikram’s visit, India and Bhutan discussed a wide range of bilateral areas like development partnership, trade and investment, energy, connectivity, trade infrastructure, people-to-people ties, technology, and regional issues of mutual importance.
Both sides exchanged views and ideas in a friendly and cordial manner, keeping in line with the historic and traditional relationship between India and Bhutan. The meeting kept the custom of regular high-level bilateral exchanges between the two countries.
Both sides decided to hold the next Development Cooperation Talks in New Delhi, India, at a mutually favourable date.
