Bhutan and India Mark New Milestones With Three Major Development Projects

Bhutan and India marked new milestones in their partnership with projects in hydropower, healthcare and connectivity, alongside high-level engagements during Dr S. Jaishankar’s visit.

Bhutan and India marked a new chapter in their development partnership with the launch and inauguration of three projects spanning clean energy, healthcare and road connectivity.

Bhutan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel, and India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar, jointly unveiled plaques for the projects at the Wangduechholing Palace Museum in Bumthang on 16 September.

Bringing electricity to remote Lunana

The programme began with the laying of the foundation stone for the 500-kilowatt Lunana Hydropower Project in Gasa.

The project will extend electricity access to remote communities in Lunana, one of Bhutan’s most isolated highland regions, and forms part of the longstanding Bhutan-India partnership in the energy sector.

New mother and child hospital in Mongar

The two ministers also inaugurated the 65-bed Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital in Mongar.

The new facility is expected to strengthen access to specialised maternal and child healthcare in eastern Bhutan, expanding medical infrastructure available to communities in the region.

New bridge strengthens eastern connectivity

The third project was the Jaganathan Bridge on the Samdrup Jongkhar-Trashigang Highway.

The 80-metre bridge in Samdrup Jongkhar was built by Project Dantak as part of Bhutan-India cooperation. It is expected to improve road connectivity between Samdrup Jongkhar and Trashigang in eastern Bhutan.

Supporting Bhutan’s livestock sector

Following the project inaugurations, the ministers toured the Wangduechholing Palace Museum in Bumthang before visiting the National Cattle Breeding Centre.

They were briefed on the centre’s work to strengthen livestock production and improve Bhutan’s dairy cattle breeding programme.

The presentation highlighted the procurement of pure Jersey parent stock from India under the Project Tied Assistance initiative, “Advancing Livestock Resilience and Economic Prosperity for National Food and Nutrition Security.”

The programme concluded with the ceremonial handover of 43 Jersey cows from India.

The initiative is aimed at improving dairy cattle genetics and supporting higher milk productivity for Bhutanese farmers.

Royal Audience and prayers at Tashichho Dzong

On 17 September, His Majesty King Jigme granted an Audience to Dr S. Jaishankar as part of the External Affairs Minister’s official visit to Bhutan.

Following the Audience, His Majesty and Dr Jaishankar lit butter lamps during a prayer ceremony at Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu.

The ceremony honoured the enduring friendship between Bhutan and India and coincided with the birthday of India’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.

The Royal Audience formed part of a series of high-level engagements during Dr Jaishankar’s visit. Bhutan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade confirmed that the External Affairs Minister received an Audience with His Majesty The King and also called on Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay.

Continuing a close bilateral partnership

Dr Jaishankar visited Bhutan from 16 to 18 September at the invitation of Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel.

During the visit, the two countries reviewed cooperation across development, energy, trade, connectivity, culture and people-to-people ties.

The projects inaugurated during the visit reflect the breadth of Bhutan-India cooperation, extending from essential infrastructure and healthcare to energy, agriculture and livestock development.