Staff Reporter

The second Bhutan-India development  cooperation talks for the 12th Plan was held in New Delhi on November 29.

The delegations reviewed the status of the ongoing 51 project-tied assistance (PTA) projects and approved 21 new project proposals. They also discussed cooperation outside of the 12th Plan, including the establishment of the Super Specialty Hospital.

Foreign Secretary Kinga Singye led the team Bhutanese delegation comprising of senior officials from ministries of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Health, Works and Human Settlement, Education;  the Gross National Happiness Commission secretariat and the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Delhi.  The Indian delegation was led by TS Tirumurti, Secretary of Economic Relations under the External Affairs ministry, the Ambassador of India to Bhutan, Joint Secretary, North and other officials of the external affairs ministry.

A press release from the foreign ministry stated that the Bhutanese side expressed appreciation to the Government of India for its generous support to Bhutan’s 12th Plan and that the Indian side reiterated its commitment to support Bhutan’s 12th Plan.

The two sides agreed to hold the next development cooperation talks in Thimphu at a mutually convenient date.

“The talks were held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere in keeping with the excellent ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries,” the press release stated.