Ambassador of Bhutan to India V. Namgyel highlighted how India’s Act East Policy, along with key infrastructure initiatives like the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, inland waterways, and enhanced air connectivity, is unlocking new economic opportunities for Bhutan. He said this at the “Advantage Assam 2.0 – Investment and Infrastructure Summit 2025” which concluded yesterday. He added that Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City project and India’s Act East Policy would provide many complementary benefits for the two nations.
Speaking at the Act East, Act Fast, and Act First session of the summit, Bhutanese Ambassador to India Major General Vetsop Namgyel said the Act East Policy and the ongoing construction of the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, will enhance connectivity between Bhutan and Southeast Asia. He cited this as a major development that could open new economic and trade opportunities for Bhutan. The Act East Policy is an initiative by India to cultivate extensive economic and strategic relations with the Southeast Asian countries.
“As a contagious landlocked neighbour to the northeast states of India, Bhutan was encouraged when we heard of the Act East Policy and the proposal of building India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway. With the Asian Highway proposal yet to materialise fully, we saw an early possibility of land connectivity for Bhutan through India to Southeast Asia.”
Apart from land routes, the ambassador acknowledged India’s support in enhancing maritime commerce through inland waterways. India has allowed Bhutan to use the inland waterway through Dhubri. He added that the recent inauguration of the inland waterways terminal at Jogighopa provides Bhutan with access to maritime trade routes with Assam and Bangladesh.
Additionally, he emphasised the importance of air connectivity, noting that Bhutan is now linked to Assam and Singapore through Guwahati’s international airport.
He also acknowledged Japan, Singapore, and the European Union’s contributions to the success of the Act East Policy, given their economic and industrial influence.
“As the first industrialised country in Asia and the only Asian member of the G7, Japan’s engagement in Assam and the Northeast states provides important encouragement for the successful implementation of the Act East policy. With the highest per capita income in the world and as the dynamic member of ASEAN, Singapore’s engagement in the Act East policy will contribute in its success. At the same time, support and encouragement from Europe will provide a favourable westerly wind behind the sales of the Act East Policy’s ship.”
Furthermore, he mentioned the Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) project as an opportunity for mutual collaboration and expressed gratitude to Indian Prime Minister Modi for assuring full support for the project.
The two-day second edition of the Advantage Assam Summit held in Guwahati marked the largest investment promotion and facilitation initiative by the Assamese government.
Namgay Wangdi, BBS News
