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Overview: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bhutan

Overview: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bhutan
Overview: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bhutan

Overview: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bhutan

Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, made a State Visit to the Kingdom of Bhutan from 17-18 August 2019, at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Dr.LotayTshering.

This was among the first bilateral visits by Prime Minister Modi after assuming office for the second time in May 2019.

On arrival at Paro Airport, Prime Minister Modi was welcomed by Prime Minister Dr.Tshering, members of the Cabinet and senior government officials with a ceremonial guard of honour.

The Prime Ministers Modi and Dr.Tshering formally inaugurated the recently completed 720 MW Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Plant.

The Prime Ministers Modi formally launched the facility of use of Indian-issued RuPay cards in Bhutan, which would greatly facilitate Indian travellers to Bhutan by reducing the need to carry cash, while at the same time boosting the Bhutanese economy and further integrating the economies of both countries.

Prime Ministers inaugurated the Ground Earth Station of the South Asian Satellite in Thimphu, which was constructed with the support of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

Both leaders also agreed to collaborate on the joint development of a small satellite for Bhutan. They directed that a Joint Working Group (JWG) be formed to implement the project and other related activities, including developing a geoportal system for Bhutan for natural resources and disaster management, using remote sensing and geo-spatial data.

The two Prime Ministers also inaugurated the inter-connection between India’s National Knowledge Network and Bhutan’s Research and Education Network. Both sides noted that this link-up would create an information highway, encouraging greater interaction among the universities and students of both sides.


The following Memoranda of Understanding/Agreement were exchanged during the visit:

1. MoU between Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) of the Government of Republic of India and Department of Information Technology and Telecom (DITT) of the Royal Government of Bhutan on the establishment of SATCOM Network for the Utilization of South Asia Satellite.

2. MoU between the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU), Ministry of Information and Communications, Royal Government of Bhutan, and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Republic of India on cooperation Relating to Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation.

3. MoU between National Knowledge Network of India (NKN), National Information Center, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Department of Information Technology & Telecom ( Druk Research and Education Network on Peering Agreement.

4. Power Purchase Agreement Between PTC India Limited and Druk Green Power Corporation Limited for Sale and Purchase of Mangdechhu Power.

5. MoU between Bhutan National Legal Institute and National Judicial Academy, Bhopal, on cooperation in Judicial Education and Mutual Exchanges.

6. MoU between JigmeSingyeWangchuck School of Law, Thimphu, Bhutan, and National Law School of India University, Bangalore, India, on enhancing relations between the two parties and seeking to develop academic and cultural interchange in the areas of legal education and research.

7. MoU between the Royal University of Bhutan and Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur.

8. MoU between the Royal University of Bhutan and Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.

9. MoU between the Royal University of Bhutan and National Institute of Technology, Silchar.

10. MoU between the Royal University of Bhutan and Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.

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