India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar (PhD), on behalf of the Indian Government, handed over Mahindra electric vehicles to Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay in Thimphu today. The handover was followed by the launch of the second phase of the Unified Payments Interface, or UPI, and the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding on the Nehru Wangchuk Scholarship.
54 EVs were formally handed over during the ceremony attended by government officials.
The vehicles will be used by government executives for official purposes. The latest handover is part of India’s Project Tied Assistance project for Bhutan’s 13th Five Year Plan, aimed at promoting e-mobility. It follows the handover of 45 EVs in July. Another 45 electric buses will be procured through the same project. The total budget allocated for vehicle procurement is Nu 900 M.
Later in the afternoon, the second phase of the Unified Payments Interface or UPI, was launched. The first phase, introduced in Bhutan in 2021, allows Indian travellers to make digital payments in Bhutan. The second phase is expected to enable Bhutanese users to pay digitally in India.
The launch was also marked by the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding on the Nehru Wangchuk Scholarship. The scholarship provides opportunities for Bhutanese students to pursue higher education in India.
India’s External Affairs Minister arrived in the country yesterday for a three-day official visit at the invitation of the Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister, D.N. Dhungyel. The visit focuses on strengthening bilateral cooperation between Bhutan and India.
Kelzang Chhophyel
Edited by Sonam Pem
