Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met H.E. Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan in Thimphu on 23th March 2024 over a working lunch hosted in his honour.
Notably, the Prime Minister thanked Prime Minister Tobgay for the exceptional public welcome accorded to him, with people greeting him all along the journey from Paro to Thimphu.
Further, the two leaders held discussions on various aspects of the multi- faceted bilateral relations and forged an understanding to further enhance cooperation in sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, youth exchange, environment and forestry, and tourism.
Noteworthy, India and Bhutan enjoy long-standing and exceptional ties characterized by utmost trust, goodwill, and mutual understanding at all levels.
Ahead of the meeting, the Prime Ministers of India and Bhutan witnessed exchange of following MoUs/Agreements on energy, trade, digital connectivity, space, agriculture, youth connect among others:-
MoUs/Agreement/Plan of Action
| Sr. No. | Name of MoUs/Agreement/Plan of Action | Description | Representative from Bhutanese side | Representative from Indian side |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MoU on general supply of Petroleum, Oil, Lubricants (POL) and related products from India to Bhutan | This MoU provides for a list of Petroleum, Oil, Lubricants related items. GoI would facilitate its supply to Bhutan through agreed entry/exit points. | Ms Tashi Wangmo, Secretary, Ministry of Industry Commerce, and Employment, RGoB |
Shri Sudhakar Dalela, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Bhutan |
| 2 | Agreement for recognition of official control exercised by Bhutan Food And Drug Authority (BFDA) by Food Safety and Standards Authority Of India (FSSAI) | The agreement will facilitate the trade between India and Bhutan by promoting ease of doing business and reducing compliance cost on both sides. The MoU will make the export inspection certificate issued by BFDA acceptable by FSSAI for compliance with requirements prescribed by FSSAI, while exporting the products to India. | Mr. Pemba Wangchuk, Secretary, Ministry of Health, RGoB |
Shri Sudhakar Dalela, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Bhutan |
| 3 | MoU on cooperation in the field of Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation measures | This MoU aims to assist Bhutan to enhance energy efficiency in the household sector by promoting star labeling programme developed by Bureau of Energy Efficiency. The MoU covers facilitating the formulation of building codes based on India’s experience, creation of a pool of energy professionals at Bhutan by institutionalizing training of energy auditors etc. | Mr. Karma Tshering, Secretary, Ministry of Economic and Natural Resources, RGoB |
Shri Sudhakar Dalela, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Bhutan |
| 4 | MoU on cooperation in Sports and Youth | This MoU would help further people to people linkages between India and Bhutan by advancing linkages between sports agencies of both sides and conduct sports activities/programmes. | Ms. Pema Choden, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, RGoB |
Shri Sudhakar Dalela, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Bhutan |
| 5 | MoU on cooperation concerning sharing reference standard, pharmacopoeia, vigilance and testing of medicinal products | This MoU would help further developing our close cooperation and exchanging information in the field of the regulation of medicines in accordance with the respective laws and regulations of each side. The MoU would allow for acceptance of Indian Pharmacopoeia by Bhutan as a book of standards for medicines and supply of generic medicines at affordable price. | Mr. Pemba Wangchuk, Secretary, Ministry of Health, RGoB |
Shri Sudhakar Dalela, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Bhutan |
| 6 | Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) on Space Cooperation< | The Joint Action Plan provides a concrete roadmap for further developing our space cooperation through exchange programmes, training etc. | Mr. Jigme Tenzing, Secretary, Government Technology Agency, RGoB |
Shri Sudhakar Dalela, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Bhutan |
| 7 | Renewal of MoU on Peering Arrangement between National Knowledge Network of India (NKN) and Druk Research And Education Network of Bhutan | This MoU is between the National Knowledge Network (NKN) of India and Druk Research and Education Network (DrukREN) of Bhutan to renew the peering agreement between NKN and DrukREN, The MoU will enhance digital connectivity between India and Bhutan and will benefit the scholars and research institutions of Bhutan. | Mr. Jigme Tenzing, Secretary, Government Technology Agency, RGoB |
Shri Sudhakar Dalela, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Bhutan |
In addition, both sides have also agreed on and initialled the text of the MoU on Establishment of Rail Links between India and Bhutan.
The MoU provides for establishment of two proposed rail links between India and Bhutan, including the Kokrajhar-Gelephu rail link and Banarhat-Samtse rail link and their implementation modalities.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/
