India Pledges ₹10,000 Crore To Bhutan’s Five-Year Plan, Strengthens Regional Partnership

India’s development partnership with Bhutan enters new phase  
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to Bhutan, India pledged ₹10,000 crore to support Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan. The announcement was made in Thimphu, where PM Modi met King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay to reaffirm India’s commitment to Bhutan’s growth and regional collaboration.

The financial aid will be directed toward key sectors including infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, education, and energy. India also announced a ₹4,000 crore line of credit for Bhutan’s hydropower development and inaugurated the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II hydroelectric project. Additionally, land has been allocated in Varanasi for the construction of a Royal Bhutanese Temple and guest house, symbolizing deep cultural ties.

Key highlights  

• ₹10,000 crore pledged for Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan  
• Focus areas: infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, education, energy  
• ₹4,000 crore line of credit for hydropower projects  
• 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II hydro project inaugurated  
• Royal Bhutanese Temple to be built in Varanasi  
• Immigration checkpoint planned near Gelephu to boost cross-border connectivity  

Sources: NewsOnAir, Times of India, Business Today, Hindustan Times, Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS)