Indo-Bhutan ties to strengthen economic growth and renewable energy

… Ambassador Sudhakar Dalela and Vetsop Namgyel at Bhutan Echoes

 

 

 

With Bhutan undergoing a major transformation, India shall remain committed to enhancing the economic development of Bhutan, this was shared during Bhutan Echoes by Sudhakar Dalela, Ambassador for India to Bhutan on August 5.

 

As the Bhutan Echoes brought together various participants from around the world, the question of India-Bhutan friendship and a way forward was raised.

 

It was for the first time the question of economy and development was brought in during a literary festival.

 

The moderator, Namgay Choden who is a climate solution strategist asked the ambassador of Bhutan to India, major general Vetsop Namgyel and ambassador of India to Bhutan Sudhakar Dalela on the transformation and economic growth in Bhutan.

 

Vetsop Namgyel said that Bhutan and India share its ties culturally for centuries with political relationship since 1949. “Over the decades, major developmental activities have taken place in Bhutan. The first five-year plan was a support from India to start the developmental activities in the country.”

 

Ambassador Sudhakar Dalela said that the way forward for Bhutan in its economic ties has already began with India’s involvement in ICT connectivity, expansion in renewable energy and green hydrogen, and skills development through Desuung skilling projects and Gyalsung project.

 

“As we set our compass towards the future, we shall stay updated to new reality, technological advancement and other sectors,” he said.

 

The development may come at the cost of Bhutan’s pristine environment as the forest coverage has already declined from 71.13 percent to 69.71 percent in 2023. As the moderator questions on the environmental front, the ambassadors ascertain renewable energy growth over non-renewable energy.

 

Vetsop Namgyel said that the Indian economy is fifth in the world that has been helping Bhutan grow through Digital Drukyul Platform. “Bhutan is a champion of environment – an exemplary nation being the carbon negative country. India has revamped the climate and environmental policies with major focus on renewable energy growth.”