Development Cooperation Talks were held between India and Bhutan on 30th June 2025, in New Delhi and was led by the Secretary (West) Tanmaya Lal of External Affairs, with Bhutan’s foreign secretary Aum Prema Choden.
India and Bhutan, for many years, have developed a strong partnership. The Development Cooperation Talks are important for both countries as they aim to improve the collaboration efforts for various development initiatives. The Indian government has given financial aid of INR 10,000 crore, which is equivalent to 100 billion Nu to Bhutan as they’re launching their 13th Five-Year Plan, which will cover 2024 to 2029. The aid will be directed to projects like Project Tied Assistance (PTA), High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP), Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) and similar initiatives.
During the discussions, the representatives evaluated ongoing projects and checked the progress of the earlier ones as well. Currently, 61 PTA projects are valued at INR 4,958 crores, along with 283 HICDPs totalling INR 417 crores. The efforts being made cover a range of sectors and vary in their stages of progress. Additionally, the Indian government has set aside INR 750 crores for the ESP and INR 100 crores for the Programme Grant, ensuring these funds will be used effectively.
Bhutan’s delegation also presented the new projects for the upcoming Five-Year Plan, resulting in the approval of 10 promising initiatives valued at INR 1,113 crores. These initiatives focus on important areas such as healthcare, infrastructure, and livestock development.
India has expressed its willingness to work alongside the Bhutanese government to align its development objectives with the needs and aspirations of the Bhutanese people.
