India-bhutan

Air India, Bhutan's Drukair to offer travel across each other's networks

Air India on Wednesday said it has entered into an interline partnership with Bhutanese flag carrier Drukair-Royal Bhutan Airlines to offer passengers seamless travel on each other's network and strengthen connectivity between the two South Asian neighbours. With this collaboration, Tata group-owned Air India said it now provides seamless connectivity to nearly all countries in the SAARC region through its own or partner network. Apart from India and Bhutan, other countries in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) include Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka. An interline arrangement is a pact to issue and accept tickets for flights that are operated by the partner airline. When selling an interline ticket, the operating airlines' flight numbers are used. The partnership with the Bhutanese carrier enables passengers to benefit from a single-ticket itinerary combining Air India and Drukair flights, ensuring a seamless end-to-end ..

Tata Power, Druk Green ink pact for Bhutan's clean energy framework

Tata Power on Monday said it has inked an initial pact with Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) to build a training framework for developing 5,000 MW clean energy capacity in Bhutan. Training programmes will be delivered through Tata Power Skill Development Institute (TPSDI), it said in a statement. "This partnership with DGPC underscores our collective vision of creating a future-ready talent ecosystem for Bhutan's growing clean energy sector," Praveer Sinha, CEO & Managing Director, Tata Power, said. Dasho Chhewang Rinzin, MD, DGPC, said the MoU is a practical step towards strengthening local capabilities required under the ongoing partnership to develop 5,000 MW of clean energy capacity in Bhutan. TPSDI was established to bridge the skill gap in the power sector by delivering industry-relevant, modular training and certification programmes. It operates a robust training network across India, offering hands-on training across the power value chain, including thermal, hydel, and

From Bangladesh to Nepal: Decoding India's aid to neighbours in Budget 2026

The 2026 Budget, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday, signalled a clear push to strengthen ties with the neighbouring countries

SC signs MoU with Bhutan apex court for exchange of law clerks: CJI

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Monday said that the Supreme Court has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the apex court of Bhutan to facilitate the exchange of young legal professionals. The CJI, at the outset of the proceedings, said that under the MoU, two law clerks from Bhutan will be engaged by the Supreme Court here for a period of three months. The clerks will receive the same honorarium as Indian law clerks, and their travel expenses will be borne by the Supreme Court, the CJI said. Introducing the law clerks to the packed courtroom, the CJI described them as young and bright and said they would be assigned to work in different courts during their tenure. We have entered into an MOU with the Supreme Court of Bhutan and on the basis of which there will be two law clerks who will be paid on the basis of our honorarium and will be there for period of three months, we will be taking care of their travelling, both will be working in different courts, both

Power to Bhutan: Good relations balance Thimphu's geopolitical pragmatism

Sustained cordiality has been the result of India's constructive and dependable engagement with Bhutan since the 1960s, helping it build institutions of governance and military capabilities

Modi reaffirms support for Bhutan's 13th plan, attends peace festival

India on Wednesday reaffirmed its "unwavering" support to Bhutan's 13th five-year-plan as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with former king Jigme Singye Wangchuck and joined Bhutanese leadership to attend the Kalachakra initiation ceremony, hosted as part of the Global Peace Prayer Festival. Following the meeting, Modi lauded Singye's contribution in further cementing India-Bhutan ties and said the discussions focused on bilateral cooperation in areas of energy, trade, technology and connectivity. "Discussed cooperation in energy, trade, technology and connectivity. Lauded the progress in the Gelephu Mindfulness City Project, which aligns with our Act East Policy," Modi said on social media. In the morning, Modi inaugurated the "Kalacakra Wheel of Time Empowerment" at the Global Peace Prayer Festival that was attended by top Bhutanese leadership, including Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Singye. "This is an important ritual with great cultural significance for

PM Modi meets Bhutan's former king, praises his efforts for bilateral ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met with Bhutan's former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck and said he appreciated his extensive efforts over the years towards further cementing ties between the two South Asian neighbours. Had a wonderful meeting with His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. Appreciated his extensive efforts over the years towards further cementing India-Bhutan ties, Modi said in a social media post. During the meeting, they discussed cooperation in energy, trade, technology and connectivity. Lauded the progress in the Gelephu Mindfulness City Project, which aligns with our Act East Policy, Modi added. Modi also thanked His Majesty for his wise counsel and guidance in further enhancing the special India-Bhutan friendship, the Ministry of External Affairs said. The prime minister conveyed best wishes of the government and people of India for the former king's continued good health, well-being and a long life, the ministry added. Modi, who is on a two-day visit to t

PM Narendra Modi promises timely completion of India-Bhutan railway links

During his Bhutan visit, PM Modi announced a Rs 4,000-crore credit line for Thimphu's energy sector and promised timely completion of two India-Bhutan rail links approved in September

PM Modi, Bhutan King hold talks on energy, defence, connectivity projects

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on Tuesday held wide-ranging talks during which they discussed cooperation in sectors such as energy, capacity building, connectivity, technology, defence and security. After the delegation-level talks, the two leaders jointly inaugurated the 1020 Punatsangchhu-II hydroelectric project, developed jointly by India and Bhutan. "Had a very good meeting with His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan. We covered the full range of India-Bhutan relations," Modi said in a post on social media. "We discussed cooperation in sectors like energy, capacity building, connectivity, technology, defence and security. India is proud to be a key partner in Bhutan's development journey," he added. Prime Minister Modi arrived in Bhutan on Tuesday for a two-day visit. The ties between India and Bhutan have been on an upswing. In September, India unveiled its plan to build two cross-border train links wi

PM Modi in Bhutan to attend Fourth King's 70th birthday, peace festival

PM Modi also mentioned that the visit would mark a major milestone in the India-Bhutan energy partnership with the inauguration of the Punatsangchhu-II hydropower project

PM Modi to visit Bhutan on Nov 11 to boost ties further, inaugurate project

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Bhutan on Tuesday on a two-day visit to further strengthen bilateral ties and inaugurate a mega hydroelectric project jointly developed by the two countries. Modi will meet Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and hold wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay during the November 11-12 visit. The prime minister will also attend celebrations to mark the 70th birth anniversary of Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the former king of Bhutan. "The visit seeks to strengthen the special ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday. Modi and King Wangchuck will jointly inaugurate the 1020 mega watt Punatsangchhu-II hydroelectric project developed jointly by India and Bhutan, it said. The prime minister will attend the celebrations dedicated to the 70th birth anniversary of Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan, the MEA said. "India and Bhutan share

FM Sitharaman starts Bhutan tour to strengthen bilateral economic ties

According to a press statement, the visit, scheduled from October 30 to November 2, 2025, underscores India's enduring partnership with Bhutan, built on mutual trust, respect, and shared goals

RBI revises norms for rupee lending in Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka

The RBI said it has also extended the time for repatriating money in foreign currency accounts maintained in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in India from one month to three months.

India, Bhutan to establish first rail link with ₹4,033 cr outlay over 3 yrs

India and Bhutan will build Rs 4,033 crore rail links from Gelephu and Samtse within three years, connecting to Indian Railways to strengthen trade, cargo and passenger movement

Moody's retains India's rating, Karur stampede, India-Bhutan rail link, Trump-Netanyahu meet & more

Moody’s Ratings on Monday affirmed India’s sovereign rating at Baa3 with a ‘stable’ outlook, citing robust growth and a strong external position.

India-Bhutan to build ₹4,033 cr cross-border rail links: Foreign Secretary

The two nations agreed to establish two cross-border rail links between Banarhat and Samtse and Kokrajhar and Gelephu, marking the first set of rail connectivity projects with Bhutan

Adani Power, Druk Green to build 570 MW hydroelectric project in Bhutan

The ₹6,000 crore Wangchhu project, for which agreements were signed today, will meet Bhutan's winter energy demand, with the surplus exported to India in the summer

Sandeep Arya appointed as India's next ambassador to Bhutan by MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said Sandeep Arya has been appointed as India's next ambassador to Bhutan. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly. "Sandeep Arya (IFS:1994), presently Ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Bhutan," the MEA said in a statement.

Reliance Power to build Bhutan's largest solar project in ₹2,000 cr JV

Reliance Power and Bhutan's Druk Holding to jointly develop a 500 MW solar plant in a ₹2,000 cr BOO-model venture, marking the biggest private FDI in Bhutan's solar sector

India, Bhutan enjoy exemplary ties of friendship, cooperation: MEA

India and Bhutan enjoy "exemplary ties" of friendship and cooperation, based on trust, goodwill and mutual understanding at all levels, and the visit of Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay was in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries, the MEA said on Saturday. Tobgay paid an official visit to India from February 20 to February 21 to participate in the inaugural leadership conclave of the School of Ultimate Leadership (SOUL), which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the visit, Tobgay had a meeting with Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and other senior officials of the government of India called on the prime minister of Bhutan during his visit, it ...