New Delhi, March 1: India and Bhutan convened their annual Development Cooperation Talks in New Delhi, led by respective Foreign Secretaries Vinay Kwatra and Aum Pema Choden, to review the advancement of projects facilitated by the Government of India (GoI) under Bhutan’s 12th Five-Year Plan.
During the discussions, both delegations assessed the progress of various initiatives supported by GoI across sectors such as education, health, digital development, and infrastructure in Bhutan. Notably, the Bhutanese delegation expressed profound appreciation for India’s steadfast support and cooperation during the challenging period of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Under the bilateral partnership of the 12th Five-Year Plan, a total of 83 Project Tied Assistance and 524 High Impact Community Development Projects have been successfully executed, spanning diverse fields including trade, agriculture, sports, and culture.
Looking ahead to Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan, the two nations deliberated on priority sectors and forthcoming projects aimed at realizing the Royal Government of Bhutan’s vision of a ‘Healthy, Prosperous, and Secure Bhutan.’ India reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate closely with Bhutan to align development efforts with His Majesty’s vision and the aspirations of the Bhutanese government.
Both sides agreed to convene the next round of Development Cooperation Talks in Thimphu at a mutually convenient date, fostering the enduring bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
The dialogue, held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere, underscored the excellent bilateral relations shared by India and Bhutan, further strengthening their partnership in fostering sustainable development and mutual prosperity.
