India realese ₹120 crore to Bhutan for development projects

Thimphu : Indian Ambassador to Bhutan Sandeep Arya handed over a cheque for ₹120 crore to the Bhutanese Finance Minister for High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP). This amount is the first tranche for the second batch of HICDP projects. So far, India has released ₹497 crore for HICDP in Bhutan during the 13th Five-Year Plan.

In addition, the Indian Ambassador and Bhutanese Finance Minister Lyonpo Leke Dorji reviewed the implementation of India-Bhutan development cooperation programs, especially the HICDP, on October 23. The Indian Embassy in Thimphu said in a statement that they visited project sites and received information on the progress of the following projects: 'Construction of the North City Bus Terminal at Dechencholing', 'Construction of the Bazam in front of the Centenary Farmers Market (CFM) area', and 'Laying of Black Road on the Danglo-Wuluna Chiwog Road', which are part of the 572 HICDP projects being implemented with Indian assistance in all dzongkhag areas of Bhutan.

India has consistently assisted Bhutan in various sectors under its 'Neighborhood First' policy. India's HICDP projects span areas such as drinking water supply, irrigation canals, agricultural roads, farmland development, agricultural marketing, health units, and other rural infrastructure and directly benefit communities and societies across Bhutan. Since the launch of the 13th Five-Year Plan in July 2024, 45 HICDP projects have been completed with Indian assistance, and the remaining 527 are under implementation.

The Indian Embassy further stated that India has allocated an amount of ₹1,000 crore for the HICDP during Bhutan's 13th Five-Year Plan period (2024-29). As a follow-up to the 275 projects launched in December 2024 with assistance of ₹440 crore, a second batch of 297 HICDP projects amounting to ₹406 crore was approved by the Governments of India and Bhutan in September 2025.

During the handover ceremony, the Indian Ambassador underscored the importance of the HICDP in improving the living standards, livelihoods, social welfare, and connectivity of the people of Bhutan. Minister Dorji expressed gratitude to the Government of India for providing basic amenities to the Bhutanese people.
(Report by Shashwat Tiwari)