Jaishankar discusses energy and trade with Bhutan counterpart, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held discussions with his Bhutanese counterpart D N Dhungyel in Bumthang.
• The talks focused on strengthening development partnership, energy, trade, and connectivity between the two nations.
• Jaishankar inaugurated the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital in Mongar, eastern Bhutan.
• He also inaugurated the Jaganathan Bridge in Samdrup Jongkhar, constructed under Project Dantak.
• A foundation stone was laid for the 500KW Lunana Hydropower Project in Gasa, northern Bhutan.

Detailed Insights:

• The visit is part of the tradition of regular high-level exchanges, aiming to further strengthen India-Bhutan friendship and cooperation.
• Discussions covered a wide range of areas including culture and people-to-people ties, reflecting the trust and warmth in bilateral relations.
• The Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital is a state-of-the-art facility designed to improve specialized maternal and child care access.
• The Jaganathan Bridge is a Bhutan-India friendship project intended to enhance connectivity between Trashigang and Samdrup Jongkhar.
• India also supported Bhutan's cattle breeding programme by providing 43 pureline Jersey cows to the National Cattle Breeding Centre in Bumthang.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Development Partnership: Collaborative efforts between countries to achieve socio-economic growth and infrastructure development.
• Hydropower Project: Facilities that generate electricity by harnessing the kinetic energy of flowing or falling water.
• Connectivity: The establishment and improvement of physical and digital links to facilitate movement, trade, and communication between regions.