Page 2 - India-bhutan

Govt approves India-Bhutan pact on energy efficiency, conservation

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave ex post facto approval to an initial pact between India and Bhutan on cooperation in the field of energy efficiency and conservation measures. The MoU was signed between the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power, Government of India, and the Department of Energy, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Government of Bhutan, an official statement said. According to the statement, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Bhutan on extending cooperation in the field of Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation Measures. As part of the MoU, India aims to assist Bhutan to enhance energy efficiency in the household sector by promoting star labelling programme developed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), the statement said. India aims to support Bhutan in its endeavour to develop and implement the standards and labelling scheme, it ...

Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay to begin his 5-day visit to India on March 14

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay will pay a five-day visit to India beginning Thursday in his first foreign trip after assuming the top office in January. Tobgay will hold wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and call on President Droupadi Murmu, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, announcing the Bhutanese leader's visit from March 14 to 18. The Bhutanese leader is also scheduled to travel to Mumbai. "The visit of the prime minister of Bhutan will provide an opportunity to the two sides to review the progress in our unique partnership and to discuss ways and means to expand the enduring ties of friendship and cooperation between India and Bhutan," the MEA said in a statement. Tobgay will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including a number of his cabinet colleagues and top officials. "India and Bhutan enjoy exemplary ties of friendship and cooperation, based on trust, goodwill and mutual understanding at all levels," the MEA said. "During

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

India-Nepal border under tight vigil ahead of PM Modi's Ayodhya visit

The state police and the Sashastra Seema Bal along with intelligence agencies have increased vigil on the India-Nepal border in view of the arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ayodhya, officials said on Wednesday. The tight watch is being maintained on the porous border of India-Nepal ahead of Modi's arrival for the inauguration of Shri Ram Airport in Ayodhya on 30 December. The grand Ram Temple is slated for inauguration on January 22. "To prevent the movement of unwanted elements in the area, the security agencies have been asked to ascertain the identities of people before allowing them to cross over through the border," Deputy Inspector General, Sashastra Seema Bal, Gorakhpur, Akhileshvar Singh said. "Cameras have been put on SSB posts besides the main roads. Dog squads and one platoon of women wing have also been deployed. Metal detectors have been installed at Sonauli and Thuthibari outposts on the Indo-Nepal border," Singh said. In addition to this, security agencies

Bhutan unveils Gelephu City project extending from India to SouthEast Asia

"We are in a unique position to reap great benefits if we seize the opportunity, make good plans, and work together diligently," said the Bhutanese King in his address

India's full support to Bhutan's development, PM Modi to King Wangchuk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday conveyed to Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck India's full support to the socio-economic development of Bhutan based on its priorities even as the two sides agreed to boost cross-border connectivity and expand ties in trade, infrastructure and energy. A joint statement issued after wide-ranging talks between Modi and Wangchuck said the two sides agreed on a final location survey for the proposed cross-border rail link connecting Kokrajhar in Assam to Gelephu in Bhutan. They also agreed to consider establishing a rail link between Banarhat in West Bengal and Samtse in Bhutan. In a post on 'X', Modi described the talks as "warm" and "positive". "We had very warm and positive discussions on various facets of the unique and exemplary India-Bhutan relationship. Deeply value His Majesty's vision for the development and wellbeing of the friendly people of Bhutan," he said. Modi and Wangchuck "positively assessed" expanding India-Bhutan .

India, Bhutan agree to extend energy partnership to non-hydro renewables

The statement said that India and Bhutan enjoy long-standing and exceptional bilateral ties characterized by utmost trust, goodwill, and mutual understanding at all levels

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

Bhutan King arrives in Delhi; scheduled to meet PM Modi, EAM Jaishankar

Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck arrived here on Sunday to a red carpet welcome with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar receiving him at the airport, reflecting the importance India has attached to the trip. Wangchuck's high-profile trip to India comes amid renewed push by Bhutan and China for an early settlement of their decades-old boundary dispute. New Delhi has been keeping a close eye on the negotiations between Bhutan and China on their boundary row as it could have implications for India's security interests, especially in the Doklam tri-junction. Wangchuck began his eight-day visit to India from Guwahati on November 3. "His Majesty the King of Bhutan warmly received by EAM @DrSJaishankar upon his arrival in New Delhi. His Majesty is on an official visit to India," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on 'X'. "The visit will further strengthen close bonds of friendship and cooperation with a valued partner," he said. The King of Bhutan i

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 King Wangchuck to begin 8-day India visit on Friday, to meet PM Modi

Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck will begin a eight-day visit to India on Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. It said the visit would provide an opportunity to both sides to review the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation and further advance the "exemplary" partnership. The King of Bhutan will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is expected to deliberate on various aspects of close India-Bhutan ties. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and senior officials of the government will call on the King of Bhutan, the MEA said on Thursday. "The King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, accompanied by senior officials of the Royal Government of Bhutan, will be on an official visit to India from November 3 to 10," it said in a statement. The King will also visit the states of Assam and Maharashtra. "India and Bhutan enjoy unique ties of friendship and cooperation, which are characterised by understanding and mutual trust," the MEA said. "The visit wou

Bhutan gearing up to import electricity from India for extended period

Bhutan is gearing up to import electricity from India for an extended period of approximately five months from December this year to April next year, The Bhutan Live reported

Bhutan's Foreign Secy calls for Delhi's support for Thimphu's development

Kwatra discussed with her the ways to further strengthen the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation, informed the Ministry of External Affairs

Foreign Secy Kwatra holds talk with visiting Bhutanese counterpart Choden

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra held wide-ranging talks with his visiting Bhutanese counterpart Aum Pema Choden on Saturday and conveyed India's commitment to partner with Bhutan based on the priorities of the Himalayan nation. The top Bhutanese diplomat paid an official visit to India from July 28 to 29, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday. "The two foreign secretaries reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation, and discussed ways to further strengthen it across diverse sectors," it said in a statement. Both foreign secretaries co-chaired the India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks. The MEA said the visit of the Bhutanese foreign secretary reinforced the "long-standing tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries to discuss all issues of mutual interest". It said the Bhutanese side shared details regarding Bhutan's 13th Five Year Plan during the talks. "Foreign Secretary Kwatra conveyed India's commitment to partner with Bh

RuPay cards cross 10,000 milestone in Bhutan, 265,994 ATMs accept the cards

RuPay cards crossed the 10,000 mark in Bhutan. BHNL RuPay debit cards are widely accepted in more than 265,994 ATMs and 7.9 million PoS terminals to withdraw cash, balance inquiries and make payment

PM Modi discusses ways to bolster bilateral ties with Bhutan King

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held talks with Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck focusing on ways to bolster bilateral engagement in a range of areas including economic cooperation. The King began his two-day visit to India on Monday amid some concerns in New Delhi over China's attempts to expand influence over Thimphu. Certain remarks by Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering on the Doklam tri-junction were seen by many as the Himalayan nation cosying up to Beijing though Bhutan maintained that there is no change in its stance on the border dispute. It is learnt that the talks between PM Modi and King Wangchuck were focused on ways to expand bilateral ties. The Bhutanese King was received at the Delhi airport by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in a special gesture reflecting the importance New Delhi has attached to the visit. On Monday evening, Jaishankar called on the visiting dignitary and said the King's vision for Bhutan's future and for strengtheni

Jigme Wangchuck's 3-day India visit: NSA Ajit Doval calls on Bhutan King

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Tuesday called on Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who arrived in India for a three-day visit on April 3

India major source of investments in Bhutan; provided Rs 4500 cr assistance

The visit of Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel to India from April 3- 5 will further strengthen the close bilateral partnership, including economic and development cooperation between the two nations.India has consistently been Bhutan's top trading partner and remains the leading source of investments in Bhutan. In November 2021, the Indian government formalised the opening of seven new trade routes for Bhutan's bilateral and transit trade with India, new market access was provided for allowing the formal export of 12 agri-products from Bhutan to India, and various special exceptions/ quotas for export are also provided.India has been extending economic assistance to Bhutan's socio-economic development since the early 1960s when Bhutan launched its Five Year Plans.For the 12th Five Year Plan, India assisted Bhutan with Rs 4500 crore for various multi-sectoral project-tied assistance, small development projects, Direct Budgetary Support, etc.India and Bhutan enjoy unique ties of ...

Bhutan FM talks about geopolitical tensions in Asia Economic Dialogue

He said that climate change has become a kind of universal phenomenon. He stressed that the biggest challenge for Bhutan in terms of climate change effect is the glacial lake outburst