Bhutan and India held their Development Cooperation Talks in New Delhi today. Bhutan’s delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Aum Pema Choden, and India’s by Secretary (West) Shri Tanmaya Lal.
India has committed Nu/INR 100 billion (Nu/INR 10,000 crores) to support Bhutan’s 13th Five Year Plan (2024–2029). This support will go towards Project Tied Assistance (PTA), High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP), the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP), and general budget support.
So far, 61 PTA projects worth Nu/INR 49.58 billion and 283 HICDPs worth Nu/INR 4.17 billion are being implemented. India has already released Nu/INR 7.5 billion for ESP and Nu/INR 1 billion as a Programme Grant. Both sides reviewed the use of these funds and agreed to adjust some project allocations based on current needs.
Bhutan also proposed 10 new PTA projects worth Nu/INR 11.13 billion, which were approved. These include projects in healthcare, roads, urban infrastructure, and livestock.
The talks were held in a friendly atmosphere, and both countries agreed to meet again in Thimphu for the next round.
