PM Modi visit to Bhutan: India to double assistance to Bhutan

Source-This post on PM Modi visit to Bhutan: India to double assistance to Bhutan is based on the article “With Bhutan’s Gelephu project in mind, India to double assistance to ₹10,000 crore for next 5 years” published in “The Hindu” on 23rd March 2024.

Why in the News?

During his recent visit to Bhutan, PM Modi announced that India has decided to double Bhutan’s assistance over the next five years. The assistance will increase from ₹5,000 crore in 2019-2024 to ₹10,000 crore for the period till 2029.

What are the key highlights of the Visit?

1. Awarding Bhutan’s top civilian honor– The Bhutanese king conferred PM Modi Bhutan’s top civilian honor, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo.

2. Agreements signed:
a. India and Bhutan signed several MoUs and agreements covering areas like petroleum, trade, digital connectivity, space, and agriculture.
b. The two countries also initiated an agreement for rail links between Kokrajhar-Gelephu and Banarhat-Samtse, as well as waterway navigation on the Brahmaputra.

3. Support on Gelephu Mindfulness City project– PM Modi firmly supported the King’s initiatives, which encompassed Brand Bhutan, Bhutan Believe, and the Gelephu Mindfulness City project.

About Gelephu Mindfulness City project

1. Nature of the Project: Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) is a planned carbon-neutral city in Bhutan, spanning 1,000 square kilometers.

2. Focus Areas: It will concentrate on eco-friendly industries such as IT, education, hotels, and hospitals.

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