Bhutanese Economy

Bhutan king, Assam CM discuss promotion of regional economic development

Sarma assured the Bhutanese leadership of the Assam government's steadfast commitment and cooperation to bolstering trade infrastructure along the India-Bhutan border in Assam

Bhutan king Wangchuck to visit India for two-day trip starting Thursday

Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck will pay a two-day visit to India beginning Thursday to further advance the already close bilateral partnership between the two nations. Wangchuck will be accompanied by Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck and senior officials of the Bhutanese government, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, announcing the trip. The King will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the two leaders are expected to deliberate on ways to further deepen bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas. "India and Bhutan enjoy unique ties of friendship and cooperation, which are characterised by mutual understanding and trust," the MEA said. "The visit shall provide both sides an opportunity to review the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation and to further advance the exemplary bilateral partnership across diverse sectors," it said in a statement. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and other senior officials of the government will also call on the King, it ..

Bhutan plans mindfulness city to attract investment and tackle unemployment

GMC will be spread over an area of more than 2,500 sq km (965 sq miles) on the border with giant neighbour India and offer space to businesses in finance, tourism, green energy, technology, healthcare

India agrees to consider providing Rs 1,500 cr economic stimulus to Bhutan

India has agreed to positively consider providing Rs 1,500 crore to Bhutan as part of the Economic Stimulus Programme in the next 18 months, the two governments said on Saturday at the end of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's visit and his wide-ranging talks with the Himalayan nation's leadership. Misri, who was on his first foreign visit within days of his taking charge last week, reviewed the implementation modalities and cooperation in diverse areas of the India-Bhutan development partnership with his Bhutanese counterpart Aum Pema Choden. The joint press release highlighted the exemplary partnership characterised by trust, goodwill and mutual understanding at all levels, strong bonds of friendship and close people-to-people contacts and said, the two sides held wide-ranging discussions on all aspects of bilateral cooperation. The issues covered under the bilateral cooperation include development partnership, energy, trade and investment, connectivity and trade infrastructure, ...

Foreign Secy Misri co-chairs talks with Bhutan counterpart, reviews ties

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and his Bhutanese counterpart, Aum Pema Choden, reviewed the implementation modalities and cooperation in diverse areas of development partnership under the 13th Five-Year Plan period on Saturday.Misri co-chaired the third Development Cooperation Talks of the 13th Five-Year Plan in Bhutan."Foreign Secretary @VikramMisri & Foreign Secretary Aum Pema Choden co-chaired 3rd Development Cooperation Talks of the 13th Five Year Plan. Reviewed implementation modalities & cooperation in diverse areas of development partnership under 13 FYP period," the Indian Embassy in Bhutan said on X.Further, the two sides expressed satisfaction with several development projects implemented under the 12 FYP."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 post ...

India sends 2nd tranche of INR/Nu 5 bn to Bhutan for infrastructure project

Notably, the first tranche of INR/Nu Five billion was released on January 28, 2024

PM Modi reaches Bhutan on 2-day state visit to further cement unique bond

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here on Friday on a two-day State visit to Bhutan to further cement India's unique relations with the Himalayan nation. "On the way to Bhutan, where I will be attending various programmes aimed at further cementing the India-Bhutan partnership. I look forward to talks with Majesty the King of Bhutan, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and Prime Minister @tsheringtobgay," the Prime Minister posted on X. The visit, scheduled between March 21 and 22, was postponed due to the inclement weather in Bhutan. The visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to "exchange views on bilateral and regional matters of interest and deliberate on ways to expand and intensify our exemplary partnership for the benefit of our peoples", the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement earlier this week. India and Bhutan share "a unique and enduring partnership which is rooted in mutual trust, understanding and goodwill", the statement emphasised. "Our

Bhutan PM urges Indian industries to invest in country's tourism sector

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay on Friday urged the Indian industry to explore business opportunities in the tourism sector in the neighbouring nation which has deep relations with India. Tobgay, who is on a five-day visit to India, made the remarks at 'India-Bhutan Tourism: Expanding Horizons' dialogue organised by industry body FICCI in the national capital. "I always wanted to meet ... captains of the industry and invite you to Bhutan. We have been blessed with excellent relation with India. India is our immediate neighbour. We want more and more Indians visiting Bhutan," he said addressing the gathering which included representatives of various sectors including travel and hospitality. On the opportunities in Bhutan, Tobgay said his country provides immense opportunities in the travel and tourism industry. The investors can come and set up hotels, restaurants, wellness centres in Bhutan of which 72 per cent is under forest cover. Travel for Indians is very easy as a ..

Foreign secy, new Bhutanese PM meet; discuss ways to boost bilateral ties

Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Monday called on Bhutan's new Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and discussed areas of mutual interest and multifaceted cooperation to further boost India's relations with the Himalayan nation. Kwatra arrived earlier here on a three-day trip, in the first high-level visit from India after the formation of a new government under People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader Tobgay. Kwatra called on Prime Minister Tobgay at the Prime Minister's Office in Gyalyong Tshogkhang. The meeting discussed various areas of mutual interest and cooperation between Bhutan and India, according to The Bhutanese newspaper. The Prime Minister also hosted a dinner for the Foreign Secretary and his delegation at his residence, it said in a post on X. Kwatra also held bilateral consultations with Foreign Secretary of Bhutan Aum Pema Choden. A wide ranging discussion on multifaceted cooperation between India and Bhutan in development partnership, space, energy, trade, ...

Indian envoy congratulates Tshering Tobgay for assuming charge as Bhutan PM

This was Bhutan's fourth general election since transitioning from a traditional monarchy to a parliamentary form of government 15 years back

Voters begin casting ballots in Bhutan, where economic crisis looms large

Voters in Bhutan, a landlocked country in the eastern Himalayan mountain range with a population of around 800,000 people, began casting their ballots Tuesday to elect a new Parliament, hoping the politicians make good on their promises to fix the nation's economic crisis. Some voters are expected to trek in freezing temperatures to reach the polls to elect a set of 47 parliamentarians who will form the next government. Results are likely to be announced later in the night. The national elections are the fourth in Bhutan after it saw a transformation from a traditional monarchy to a parliamentary form of government in 2008. Ballots include only the People's Democratic Party of former Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, and the Bhutan Tendrel Party headed by former civil servant Pema Chewang. A primary round of voting in November eliminated three other parties. Bhutan lies sandwiched between China and India, with both neighbours vying for influence in the country. Bhutan's severe econom

EAM meets Wangchuk, affirms India's support for Bhutan's sustainable growth

The Bhutan King's visit to India would foster the close bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, Ministry of External Affaira (MEA) said

India's emerging challenge in Bhutan

The new phase of cordial diplomatic relations between Bhutan and China call for the establishment of fresh redlines between India and its Himalayan neighbour

Bhutan reopens to those willing to pay $200 per day visitor tax: Report

Bhutan has increased its Sustainable Development Fee from $65 a night as part of a "renewed focus of sustainability" in the government's strategy to attract "high value, low volume" tourism

India sets aside Rs 7,100 cr as development assistance to other countries

Bhutan got the maximum allocation of Rs 3,004 crore

India's GST to hit Bhutanese economy, too: says ADB

According to the ADB report, Bhutan's imports are likely to increase as exports from India are zero-rated under GST