Bhutan Foreign Secretary Aum Pema Choden meets FS Kwatra, talk on energy, cross border connectivity

New Delhi: At the invitation of Foreign Secretary of India, Vinay Kwatra, Foreign Secretary of Bhutan Aum Pema Choden paid an official visit to India from 28-29 July 2023. The two Foreign Secretaries reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation and discussed ways to further strengthen it across diverse sectors.

Both Foreign Secretaries co-chaired the India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks (Plan Talks). The Bhutanese side shared details regarding Bhutan’s 13th Five Year Plan. Foreign Secretary Kwatra conveyed India’s commitment to partner with Bhutan based on the priorities of the government and people of Bhutan and advancing the bilateral partnership including into newer areas.

The two Foreign Secretaries noted with appreciation the progress on bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, development partnership, cross-border connectivity, trade and economic ties, digital development, science and technology, skill development and furthering people to people ties. It was agreed that both sides will continue to work to further strengthen such cooperation in keeping with the Joint Statement issued during the official visit of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan to India in April 2023.

Foreign Secretary of Bhutan called on the External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar on 29 July, 2023.

India and Bhutan share an exemplary bilateral relationship characterized by utmost trust, goodwill and mutual understanding at all levels, strong bonds of friendship and close people-to-people ties. The visit of Foreign Secretary of Bhutan reinforced the long-standing tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries to discuss all issues of mutual interest.