India, Bhutan Review Development Partnership, Agree Over New Projects

The foreign ministry said the Indian government has committed Rs 4,500 crore for the implementation of development projects in Bhutan.

India and Bhutan reviewed the entire gamut of their development partnership on Monday with both sides agreeing to implement some new projects in the Himalayan nation across various sectors such as road infrastructure, water management and COVID-19 management. The Third India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks were held virtually. While the Indian delegation was led by Rahul Chhabra, Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs, the Bhutanese delegation was led by Kinga Singye, the Foreign Secretary, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. The Indian government has committed Rs 4,500 crore for the implementation of development projects and Rs 400 crore for the transitional Trade Support Facility during Bhutan's 12th Five Year Plan (2018-2023), it said. As many as 77 large and intermediate projects and 524 Small Development Projects (SDPs)/High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) are at various stages of implementation under the 12th Five Year Plan, the MEA said.