Gelephu Mindfulness City Partners with Khaitan & Co to Strengthen Legal Confidence for Investors

Gelephu Mindfulness City partners with Khaitan & Co to enhance investor confidence and establish a transparent legal framework supporting Bhutan’s vision of a mindful, sustainable, and innovation-driven economic hub in South Asia.

Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Khaitan & Co, one of India’s leading law firms, to enhance legal and regulatory confidence for investors and to support Bhutan’s vision of becoming South Asia’s emerging hub for mindful innovation and sustainable growth.

Advancing His Majesty’s Vision

GMC Governor Dasho Dr Lotay Tshering shared that the collaboration builds upon His Majesty The King’s vision of creating an economic gateway that redefines development through innovation, sustainability, and mindful prosperity. “This MoU marks a key step in deepening the India–Bhutan partnership through trusted pathways for investment and collaboration,” he said.

Building a Framework for Sustainable Investment

Khaitan & Co, widely recognised as one of India’s foremost law firms, brings decades of expertise in corporate, regulatory, and cross-border advisory services. Senior Partner Siddharth Shah noted, “We are honoured to a new paradigm of development where harmony, innovation, and sustainability converge,” enabling global and Indian companies to engage with Bhutan through a transparent legal framework.

Under the agreement, Khaitan & Co wil

• Advise Indian investors on market entry, compliance, and structuring.

• Support Bhutanese businesses expanding into India.

• Collaborate with Bhutanese legal professionals to build cross-border legal capacity.

• Strengthen investor confidence through governance and compliance frameworks.

• Establish a local presence within Gelephu Mindfulness City.

A City Rooted in Mindfulness and Innovation

Located along Bhutan’s southern border with India, Gelephu Mindfulness City is envisioned as a global centre for innovation and conscious living. The city’s design and governance model are grounded in Bhutan’s philosophy of Gross National Happiness, focusing on balanced growth that nurtures both people and planet.

GMC’s master plan prioritises eight sectors — spirituality, wellness, education, agri-tech, green energy, finance, aviation, and tourism — all guided by sustainable development principles. The city will feature international partnerships, renewable energy systems, mindful architecture, and policies designed to attract investors who align with Bhutan’s values of harmony, equity, and long-term well-being.

A Strengthened India–Bhutan Partnership

The MoU between GMC and Khaitan & Co represents a new chapter in India–Bhutan relations, extending beyond traditional cooperation into legal and institutional frameworks that enable responsible investment. It aligns with Bhutan’s broader goal of integrating with regional and global markets while preserving its unique identity and cultural integrity.

By fostering collaboration between Bhutanese and Indian professionals, the agreement also paves the way for knowledge exchange and capacity building in Bhutan’s emerging legal and business sectors. This foundation of trust and transparency aims to make Gelephu a model for ethical urban development in the region.

From left to right: Rabsel Dorji, Chief of Communications, GMC; Vivek Mimani, Khaitan & Co; Siddharth Shah, Senior Partner, Khaitan & Co; Dasho Dr. Lotay Tshering, Governor, GMC; Pang Yee Ean, Co-CEO, GMC; Sonam Dendup, Dorokha Lam; Jigdrel Singay, GMC Board Member.