India and Bhutan held the third Development Cooperation talks on Monday and reviewed the progress of development projects funded by India. The meeting this year was held virtually due to the Covid-19 restrictions. 

India has committed over 600 million for the implementation of development projects and around 66 million for the transitional Trade Support Facility during Bhutan’s 12th Five Year Plan (2018 - 2023). 

During the meeting, some new developmental projects were approved and the implementation of other projects was reprioritized in the wake of the Covid-19. Under Bhutan’s 12the Five Year Plan, India is funding 77 large and intermediate projects and 524 small development projects, and high-impact community development projects. 

“The Bilateral Development Cooperation Talks is an important bilateral mechanism to review the entire gamut of India’s development partnership with Bhutan,” a statement released by India’s External Affairs Ministry reads.

Kinga Singye, Bhutan’s foreign secretary, and India’s Rahul Chhabra, Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs, held the discussions.

The Bhutanese delegation expressed appreciation to the people and Government of India for their continued support and cooperation extended to Bhutan during the pandemic. India, on the other hand, said it “remains committed to continue to support Bhutan in its development efforts.”