Thimphu, July 31: India and Bhutan have approved 12 new development projects worth ₹332 crore as part of Bhutan's 13th Five Year Plan (2024–29), reaffirming New Delhi's commitment to supporting the Himalayan nation's development priorities.

 

The projects were cleared during the Fifth India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks, co-chaired by India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Bhutan's Foreign Secretary Pema Lektup Dorji in Thimphu on July 30–31.

The newly approved projects span infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, urban amenities and disaster management. With the latest approvals, the total number of Project Tied Assistance (PTA) projects under Bhutan's 13th Five Year Plan has reached 82, with a cumulative allocation of ₹6,860 crore.

The two sides reviewed the implementation of India's overall development assistance package of ₹10,000 crore for Bhutan's current Five Year Plan, covering PTA projects, High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs), the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) and Programme Grants.

According to the joint statement, India has so far released ₹1,250 crore for the Economic Stimulus Programme, ₹735.2 crore for HICDPs and ₹200 crore as Programme Grant. Both countries reviewed the utilization of these funds during the talks.

During his visit, Misri called on Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and held separate meetings with Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Foreign Minister D.N. Dhungyel. The discussions covered bilateral cooperation in development, energy, trade and investment, connectivity, people-to-people ties and regional issues.

India reiterated its commitment to supporting Bhutan's development agenda in line with the shared vision of the King of Bhutan and the Prime Minister of India, while the Bhutanese side expressed appreciation for India's continued assistance.

The two Foreign Secretaries also virtually inaugurated the Thimphu Ecological Park and Olakha Park, developed under a PTA-funded green infrastructure project.