3-Nov-2022: Defence Secretary & Chief Operations Officer, Royal Bhutan Army meet in New Delhi to enhance bilateral defence cooperation
Chief Operations Officer, Royal Bhutan Army (COO, RBA) Lt Gen Batoo Tshering called on Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane in New Delhi on November 01, 2022 during his visit to India. During their interaction, they discussed ongoing defence cooperation between the two country’s Armies and reviewed areas of mutual interest to increase cooperation.
The Defence Secretary congratulated Lt Gen Batoo Tshering on completion of 17 years as the COO, RBA. Lt Gen Batoo Tshering was enthusiastic about the positive connect with Indian Military Training Team and acknowledged their contribution to the well-being of Bhutan since 1962.
Shri Giridhar Aramane acknowledged the National Service Program (Gyalsung) launched by His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. He discussed possible avenues of cooperation between India and Bhutan in the area of skill development of youth.
Lt Gen Batoo Tshering was appreciative of the review he carried out of the Passing Out Parade at Officers Training Academy, Chennai. The Defence Secretary and COO, RBA acknowledged the strong bonds of friendship between India and Bhutan and reinforced the commitment of both sides to continue the bonhomie and friendship.
1-Nov-2022: Visit of Lt Gen Batoo Tshering, Chief Operations Officer, Royal Bhutan Army to India
Lt Gen Batoo Tshering, DYG, DRT, DW, DT, DK, Chief Operations Officer, Royal Bhutan Army is currently on a visit to India from 28 October to 02 November 2022.
The Chief of the Royal Bhutan Army reviewed the Passing Out Parade at Officers Training Academy, Chennai on 29 October 2022. On 01 November 2022, he laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and received a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the South Block, New Delhi. Lt Gen Batoo Tshering called on Gen Manoj Pande, the Chief of Army Staff and exchanged views on the current global situation, security perspectives in addition to discussing measures for enhancing defence cooperation between both armies.
The visiting General also called on the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, the Vice Chief of Army Staff, Defence Secretary and other senior military officers. The visit will further enhance and strengthen the already existing friendship and cooperation between the Indian Armed Forces and the Royal Bhutan Army.
14-Sep-2022: PM meets with His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has met with His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in New Delhi today.
Both the dignitaries have discussed the various ideas to further strengthen the close and unique India-Bhutan friendship. Shri Modi has also conveyed his appreciation for the guiding vision provided by successive Druk Gyalpos in shaping relations between India and Bhutan."
20-Jul-2022: Bhutan's Economic Affairs Minister Shri Loknath Sharma calls on Union Agriculture Minister Shri Tomar
Bhutan's Minister of Economic Affairs, Shri Loknath Sharma called on the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in New Delhi today. During this meeting, Shri Tomar said India has extended all-out cooperation to Bhutan in the Agriculture sector and will continue to help in every possible way.
Welcoming the Bhutanese delegation, Shri Tomar expressed happiness over the longstanding friendly relations between the two countries, and said that Bhutan was the first country Shri Narendra Modi visited after becoming the Prime Minister, which underlines our strong relationship.
“India has been generously cooperating to enhance this friendship. The trade partnership between the two countries has also strengthened and India is in favour our ties should deepen further. The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and other Ministries have been taking decisions constructively towards Bhutan. We are also working on opening up Indian markets for various agricultural products from Bhutan. On the request of Bhutan, it has been allowed to export ginger to India and potato export for one more year,” said Shri Tomar.
He assured that both the countries will continue to work together in the Agriculture sector and keeping in view the internal and external situation, we will take a positive approach to Bhutan's request as and when required.
The Bhutan Minister Shri Sharma thanked India for its cooperation in various matters including the supply of sugar to Bhutan. He said that the issues of Agriculture are important for us and that he has come to India to enhance the friendship between the two countries. Shri Sharma expressed his thanks for India's support to Bhutan's request regarding ginger and potato exports. He urged that Bhutan’s request for export of arecanut (Supari) to India should be considered at the earliest and trade in fruits and vegetables should continue in the present form and bilateral ties should grow through the free trade.
3-Nov-2021: India-Bhutan to have seven additional entry/exit points for trade
The Commerce Secretary Level meeting was held between India and Bhutan on trade and transit issues, here today.
The Indian delegation was led by Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India and the Bhutanese delegation was led by H.E. Dasho Karma Tshering, Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan.
The two sides held extensive discussions on the current trade and transit issues including measures to further strengthen bilateral trade relations and issues of mutual interest, on ways to increase trade connectivity between the two countries. Through Letters of Exchange (LOE), the following seven additional entry/exit points for trade between India and Bhutan were formalized:-
- Nagarkata Land Customs Station without commodity restriction.
- Agartala Land Customs Station as an entry /exit point.
- Pandu port (Guwahati Steamerghat) as an entry /exit point, subject to cross border control at Dhubri.
- Jogighopa port as an entry/exit point, subject to cross border control at Dhubri.
- Asian Highway 48 connecting Torsha Tea Garden in India and Ahllay in Bhutan as an additional route corresponding to the Land Custom Station at Jaigaon.
- Kamardwisa as an entry/exit point.
- Birpara as an entry/exit point.
This will form an addendum to the Protocol of 2016 India-Bhutan Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit. This will facilitate India-Bhutan bilateral trade to our mutual advantage.
Since 2014, trade between India and Bhutan has more than doubled from USD 484 million in 2014-15 to USD 1083 million in 2020-21.
18-Jun-2021: India and Bhutan sign MOU for developing cooperation in the areas of Environment
India and Bhutan today inked an MoU for developing cooperation between two countries in the area of environment. The MoU was signed virtually by Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar from the Indian side and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairperson of the National Environment Commission Lyonpo Dr. Tandi Dorji from the Bhutanese side.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Javadekar said, the MoU will open new vistas of bilateral co-operation in the area of climate change, waste management etc. Describing the relationship between the two countries as symbolic, he said, India wants to engage with Bhutan on environmental related issues including climate change.
The MoU is a platform to further enhance Indian and Bhutanese partnership and support, exchange best practices in areas like prevention of Air Pollution, Waste Management, Chemical Management, Climate Change, etc. It also provides the possibility to have joint projects in areas of mutual interest. The MoU will also strengthen technological, scientific and management capabilities and expand the areas of cooperation in the field of environment to promote a mutually beneficial partnership between the two countries.
26-Apr-2021: Project DANTAK completes 60 years in Bhutan
Project DANTAK is commemorating its Diamond Jubilee in Bhutan. Indian Ambassador to Bhutan Smt Ruchira Kamboj laid a floral wreath at the DANTAK Memorial in Simtokha on April 24, 2021. Commandant, Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) Maj Gen Sanjeev Chauhan and Chief Engineer DANTAK Brig Kabir Kashyap also paid their respects at the memorial. It was a fitting tribute to the sacrifices made by personnel of DANTAK in strengthening the bonds of friendship between India and Bhutan. It may be recalled that over 1,200 DANTAK personnel laid down their lives while constructing important infrastructure in Bhutan.
Project DANTAK was established on April 24, 1961 as a result of the visionary leadership of His Majesty the Third King and then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru. Identifying the utmost importance of connectivity in spurring the socio-economic development and growth of Bhutan, DANTAK was tasked to construct the pioneering motorable roads in the Kingdom. DANTAK completed the road connecting Samdrup Jongkhar to Trashigang in 1968. In the same year, Thimphu was connected to Phuentsholing by DANTAK. Many Bhutanese had also volunteered to work with DANTAK.
Over the years, DANTAK has met the myriad infrastructure requirements in Bhutan in accordance with the vision of Their Majesties and the aspirations of the people in a symbiotic manner. Some other notable projects executed by the project include the construction of Paro Airport, Yonphula Airfield, Thimphu – Trashigang Highway, Telecommunication & Hydro Power Infrastructure, Sherubtse College, Kanglung and India House Estate.
The medical and education facilities established by DANTAK in far flung areas were often the first in those locations. The food outlets along the road introduced the Bhutanese to Indian delicacies and developed a sweet tooth in them. The famous Takthi Canteen midway between Phuentsholing and Thimphu has been a compulsory stop for travelers.
As DANTAK celebrates six decades in Bhutan, the project reaffirms its commitment to support the march of Bhutan towards realising the dreams of His Majesty Druk Gyalpo, the plans of the Royal Government of Bhutan and aspirations of the people of the kingdom.
30-Dec-2020: Cabinet approves MoU between India and Bhutan on Cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today approved Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of the Republic of India and the Royal Government of Bhutan on Cooperation in the peaceful users of outer space signed on November 19, 2020 by both sides at Bangalore/Thimphu and exchanged.
Point-wise details: This MoU shall enable India and Bhutan to pursue cooperation in potential interest areas, such as remote sensing of the earth; satellite communication and satellite based navigation; Space science and planetary exploration; use of spacecraft and space systems and ground system; and application of space technology.
This MoU would lead to set up a Joint Working Group, drawing members from DOS/ISRO and the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) of Bhutan, which will further work out the plan of action including the time-frame and the means of implementation.
Implementation Strategy and targets: The signed MoU would lead to concluding specific Implementing Arrangement on specific areas of cooperation and setting up of Joint Working Group, to work out the plan of action including the time-frame and the means of implementing this MoU.
Major Impacts: The signed MoU will provide Impetus to explore cooperation possibilities in the field of remote sensing of the earth; satellite communication; satellite navigation; space science and exploration of outer space.
No. of beneficiaries: Cooperation with the Royal Government of Bhutan through this MoU would lead to develop a joint activity in the field of application of space technologies for the benefit of humanity. Thus, all sections and regions of the country will get benefitted.
Background: India and Bhutan have been discussing on establishing formal space cooperation. A template for Inter-Governmental MoU for Space cooperation was shared with MEA in November 2017 for further taking up with Bhutan. This draft was further discussed along with other cooperative proposals during the bilateral meeting in February 2020.
After a few iterations through diplomatic channels, both sides have arrived at a workable draft of the MoU and the same was processed for internal approvals. After obtaining necessary approvals the MoU was signed on November 19, 2020 by both sides and exchanged.
12-Dec-2020: Israel and Bhutan establish diplomatic relations
Israel established diplomatic relations with Bhutan, a majority-Buddhist nation neighbouring India, as it looks to continue to expand its diplomatic links internationally.
Israel’s accord with the Himalayan country did not appear to be related to its budding ties under U.S.-sponsored accords with Arab and Muslim countries, though Israeli officials sought to portray it as evidence of its growing acceptance abroad.
The agreement follows several years of secret contacts between Israel and Bhutan with the aim of establishing relations.
Israel’s circle of recognition is growing and expanding. The establishment of relations between Israel and the Kingdom of Bhutan will serve as another milestone in deepening Israel’s ties in Asia.
Bhutan relied on India for guidance on its foreign and defence policy until a friendship treaty was revised in 2007. It maintains diplomatic relations with around 53 countries.
A signing ceremony was held between the Israeli and Bhutanese ambassadors to India at the Israeli embassy in New Delhi.
The establishment of diplomatic relations will create new avenues for cooperation between the two countries in water management, technology, human resource development, agricultural sciences and other areas of mutual benefit.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the agreement, adding there had been contacts with other countries which wanted to establish relations.
Israel and Morocco agreed to normalise ties in a deal brokered with U.S. help, making it the fourth Arab country after the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan to set aside hostilities with Israel in the past four months.
25-Nov-2020: Bhutan and Germany establish diplomatic ties
Bhutan and the Federal Republic of Germany have established diplomatic relations.
The Exchange of Verbale Notes on the establishment of diplomatic relations took place between Ambassador of Bhutan to India Maj. Gen. V. Namgyel, and Ambassador of Germany to India Walter J. Lindner at the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in New Delhi, India.
At the Exchange of Verbale Notes ceremony, the two ambassadors exchanged views on areas of mutual cooperation and expressed the desire of their governments to cooperate closely in areas of mutual benefit. With the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two Ambassadors expressed the desire to further deepen the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Even in absence of diplomatic relations, Germany had been supporting Bhutan’s socio-economic development since the 1970s.
More significantly, Bhutan continues to receive support from the European Union of which Germany is the largest contributor to the Union’s budget. People-to-people contacts between Bhutan and Germany have also increased over the years.
With the establishment of diplomatic relations with Germany, Bhutan now has diplomatic relations with 53 countries and the European Union.
3-Jun-2020: Cabinet approves MoU between India and Bhutan on Cooperation in the areas of Environment
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for signing the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of India and the Royal Government of Bhutan on Cooperation in the areas of Environment.
Details: The Memorandum of Understanding will enable establishment and promotion of closer and long-term cooperation between the two countries in the field of environment protection and management of natural resources on the basis of equity, reciprocity and mutual benefits, taking into account the applicable laws and legal provisions in each country.
Keeping in view the bilateral interest of both sides and mutually agreed priorities, a Memorandum of Understanding covering the following areas of environment has been considered:
- Air;
- Waste;
- Chemical Management;
- Climate Change;
- Any other areas jointly decided upon.
This Memorandum of Understanding shall enter into force on the date of signature and shall continue to remain in force for a period of ten years. The Participants intend to encourage organizations, private companies, government institutions at all levels and research institutions on both sides to establish cooperation activities aimed at fulfilling the objectives of the Memorandum of Understanding. The Participants also intend to hold Joint Working Group / bilateral meetings to review and analyze the progress of activities and shall keep their respective Ministries/Agencies, duly informed of progress and achievements.
Major Impact including Employment Generation Potential: The Memorandum of Understanding shall facilitate exchange of experiences, best practices and technical knowhow through both public and private sectors and shall contribute to sustainable development. The Memorandum of Understanding provides the possibility for joint projects in areas of mutual interest. However, no significant employment generation is envisaged.
Expenditure: The financial implications of the proposed Memorandum of Understanding are limited to holding of the bilateral meetings / Joint Working Group meetings which shall meet alternatively in India and Bhutan. The sending side shall bear the travel cost of their delegation while the receiving side is to meet the cost of organizing the meetings and other logistic arrangements. These are the limited financial implications of the proposed Memorandum of Understanding.
Background: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) of the Government of the Republic of India and the National Environment Commission (NEC) of the Royal Government of Bhutan on 11th March, 2013. This MoU expired on 10th March, 2016. Noting the benefits of the earlier MoU, both sides have decided to continue cooperation and collaboration in the field of Environment.
4-Feb-2020: Bhutan ends free entry for Indian tourists
Ending decades of free entry to Indian tourists visiting Bhutan, the government in Thimphu has decided to levy a daily Rs.1,200 ($17) fee for “regional tourists” from India, the Maldives and Bangladesh, beginning July 2020.
The fee, called a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), is meant to help the government deal with burgeoning numbers in tourist traffic, which it is seeking to regulate through a new tourism policy.
18-Aug-2019: PM Modi and Bhutanese PM jointly inaugurated Mangdechu hydroelectric plant
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bhutanese counterpart Dr. Lotay Tshering jointly inaugurated the 720 Megawatt Mangdechu hydroelectric plant in Thimphu. This is the fourth plant built by India in Bhutan.
They also inaugurated the Ground Earth Station of South Asian Satellite, developed by Indian Space Research Organization. The first phase of Rupay card was also launched. E-plaque of the interconnection between India's National Knowledge Network E and Druk REN of Bhutan was also unveiled on this occasion.
India and Bhutan also signed 10 Memorandum of Understanding in science, technology, engineering and maths and judicial sectors. Three MoUs were inked between Royal University of Bhutan and IITs of Mumbai, Kanpur, Delhi and NIT, Silchar.
In the judicial sector, the MoUs were signed between National Law University, Bengaluru and Jigney Singhey School of Law and another between National Judicial Academy of Bhopal and National Legal Institute of Bhutan.
An MoU was also signed on aircraft accident and incident investigation between the two countries. For the cooperation in the space sector, ISRO signed an MoU with the Department of IT and Telecommunications of Bhutan.
Prime Minister Modi also released a commemorative stamp to mark the 50 years of hydropower cooperation.
15-Oct-2018: Lhotshampa people being evicted in Bhutan
Bhutan, is holding elections this week. But the Lhotshampa people, brutally driven out of the small kingdom in the 1990s, won't be voting.
The Nepali-speaking Lhotshampa were branded as immigrants and stripped of citizenship rights when the then-king introduced a "One Nation, One People" policy in 1985.
The edict made following the customs of the Buddhist majority mandatory, including wearing their traditional dress, and speaking Nepali was banned. Those who resisted where labelled "anti-nationals", arrested and subjected to brutal treatment including rape and torture, according to Amnesty International.
The security forces made detainees sign declarations saying they would leave Bhutan voluntarily as a condition of their release. Some 100,000 - one sixth of Bhutan's population - fled, ending up in refugee camps in eastern Nepal.
Bhutan has long resisted outside influences, with televisions only allowed in 1999. Its fight against Westernisation is often seen as a source of its mystic draw, along with its pursuit of "gross national happiness" - made official policy in 1998 - over economic gains.
It only swapped absolute monarchy for constitutional monarchy in 2008 and the current elections are the country's third. Bhutan still describes the Lhotshampa as immigrants, justifying its nationalistic laws as essential for cultural identity and political stability.
Relationship between India and Bhutan: India- Bhutan friendship treaty 2007 has been guiding the bilateral relations between the two countries. Under the 2007 India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty, the two sides have agreed to “cooperate closely with each other on issues relating to their national interests. Neither Government shall allow the use of its territory for activities harmful to the national security and interest of the other.”
Under the previous treaty, India was to “guide” Bhutan on foreign and defence policies. The language of the 2007 treaty is meant to respect the sensitivities of Bhutan regarding its sovereignty. But the reality is that the Indian military is virtually responsible for protecting Bhutan from the kind of external threat that the Chinese military poses.
The Eastern Army Command and the Eastern Air Command both have integrated protection of Bhutan into their role. The Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT), headed by a Major General, plays a critical role in training Bhutanese security personnel.