India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks were held in New Delhi today. During the talks, the two sides discussed various components of the support and reviewed the progress in the implementation of the projects approved in previous rounds. The Indian delegation was led by Secretary West Tanmaya Lal, and the Bhutanese delegation was led by the Foreign Secretary of Bhutan Aum Pema Choden. The Ministry of External Affairs in a statement, said that a total of 61 Project Tied Assistance- PTA projects amounting to four thousand 958 crore rupees and 283 High Impact Community Development Projects amounting to 417 crore rupees are in various stages of implementation.
Both sides agreed to make suitable revisions to the allocations for some of the PTA projects taking into account the evolving requirements. The Ministry added that the Government of India had released 750 crores towards Economic Stimulus Programme and 100 crore as Programme Grant. The meeting also reviewed the progress in the utilization of these funds. The Bhutanese side also presented the second tranche of PTA project proposals to be implemented during the 13th Five Year Plan period.
During the meeting, the Indian side conveyed that it will continue to work together with the Government of Bhutan on its development agenda, in line with the shared vision of the King of Bhutan and Prime Minister of India, and based on the priorities of the Government and the people of Bhutan.
