During the state visit, Prime Minister Modi expressed India’s readiness to continue supporting Bhutan in achieving its development priorities and promoting sustainable growth of the 13th Five-Year Plan. He also assured full support of his country for the Gelephu Mindfulness City.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the establishment of an Immigration Check Post at Hatisar, Assam, to facilitate the easy movement of investors and visitors to Gelephu.
During a press conference yesterday, representatives of India also shared that the two railway projects connecting Gelephu-Kokrajhar and Samtse-Banarhat will establish a committee to ensure the completion of the rail links on time.
Munu Mahawar, the Additional Secretary (North) of the Ministry of External Affairs, India said, “Rail links are part of our efforts to enhance connectivity between India and Bhutan. And we have taken number of measures. We have strengthened road connectivity. We have established immigration checkposts and integrated checkposts like the one in Darranga. We have set up an inland waterways terminal in Jogigopha which is also near Gelephu.”
With an announcement of concessional Line of Credit of Rs 40bn, the Government of India also said the credit will focus on the energy sector.
Munu Mahawar, the Additional Secretary (North) said, “We are always guided by the priorities of the recipient country, our partner country. So eventually it will be for the Government of Bhutan to select its projects, which will be funded under this concessional line of credit. I must specify that this is a concessional line of credit which is being extended by the Government of India.”
Additionally, the two countries decided to resume work on the main dam structure of the 1200 MW Punatsangchhu-I hydroelectric project. The construction of the Punatsangchhu-I Dam was halted since 2019 due to geological issues.
Munu Mahawar, the Additional Secretary (North) added that “We have reached a mutual agreement on how to complete Punatsangchhu-I, which had been stopped for a long time. So now our cooperation will be to complete that project as soon as possible.”
Besides, India also granted land for the construction of a Bhutanese temple and guest house in Varanasi.
As the two nations continue to strengthen their partnership across sectors, the visit reaffirms the enduring friendship and cooperation.
Singye Dema
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
