Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri of India and Foreign Secretary Aum Pema Choden of Bhutan have co-chaired the third round of the India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks, focusing on the implementation and prospects of their 13th Five Year Plan (FYP). Held on July 19, 2024, at the Bhutanese Foreign Ministry in Thimphu, the meeting marks a significant milestone in the two nations’ long-standing development partnership.
India and Bhutan share a unique and enduring relationship characterized by strong diplomatic ties, marked by cooperation and support. Their development partnership began with the signing of the First Five-Year Plan in 1961, which laid the groundwork for joint developmental efforts. Since then, the two countries have collaboratively worked through several Five Year Plans, with a focus on infrastructure, education, and health.
The 13th Five-Year Plan, spanning from 2018 to 2023, has been a particularly ambitious framework for strengthening bilateral cooperation. The previous meetings under this Plan have included a series of strategic discussions:
- First Meeting (July 2018): The inaugural talks set the stage for the 13th FYP, focusing on the key areas of infrastructure development, education, and health.
- Second Meeting (February 2021): The second round reviewed the progress of the Plan’s objectives, with a significant focus on implementing infrastructure projects and advancing educational initiatives.
- The third round of talks saw Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Foreign Secretary Aum Pema Choden reviewing the implementation modalities and exploring new avenues for development cooperation. The discussions centred on several critical areas:
- Infrastructure Development: Evaluating ongoing infrastructure projects, including road construction and hydropower initiatives.
- Educational and Health Projects: Reviewing the progress of educational programs and healthcare facilities supported under the FYP.
- Future Collaborations: Identifying new opportunities for cooperation in sectors such as renewable energy, environmental sustainability, and disaster management. Both sides expressed their commitment to deepening the partnership and achieving the goals set out in the 13th FYP. Aum Pema Choden emphasized the importance of these talks in fortifying the strategic partnership between Bhutan and India, noting, “Our cooperation under the 13th Five Year Plan has been a testament to our enduring friendship and shared vision for development.”
The outcomes of the latest talks are expected to accelerate the implementation of ongoing projects and open new avenues for future collaboration. The India-Bhutan development partnership continues to be a model of regional cooperation, reflecting a shared commitment to mutual growth and progress. The success of the 13th FYP will be closely monitored over the coming months, to extend the collaborative efforts into the next Five Year Plan.