India has announced plans to build two cross-border railway projects with Bhutan, establishing the first rail connectivity between the two neighbours. The projects, which are anticipated to cost more than Rs 4,000 crore, will connect Gelephu to Kokrajhar in Assam and Samtse to Banarhat in West Bengal. The statement came after a discussion in New Delhi between Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and his Bhutanese counterpart Aum Pema Choden, during which the two sides reviewed the entire scope of bilateral cooperation.
The External Affairs Ministry highlighted progress in energy partnership, including the commissioning of all six units of the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II hydropower project. This achievement was regarded as an important milestone for the India-Bhutan Joint Vision on Energy Partnership. Development cooperation under Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan was also discussed, with India announcing a Rs 10,000 crore commitment, double the previous plan’s allocation.
The announcement also highlights India’s strategic effort to reinforce its long-standing friendship with Bhutan against rising Chinese interest in the region. The talks were described as cordial, with the next round of Development Cooperation Talks to be held in Thimphu.
