Why in News
Recently Bhutan and China made some moves to clear their border disputes and its impacts on India.
Narendra Modi meeting Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in New Delhi on Monday.
India - Bhutan Relation
India and Bhutan share a unique and special bilateral relationship.
Its characterized by utmost trust, goodwill, and mutual understanding.
The two countries have a long history of close ties dating back to the 7th century.
The relationship is governed by the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949 and revised in 2007.
India is Bhutan's largest development partner and trading partner.
India has provided Bhutan with significant financial assistance for its development projects, including hydropower, education, and healthcare.
India is also Bhutan's primary source of imports and exports.
The two countries have close cooperation in the security and defense spheres.
New routes of regional connectivity
India government give its assistance for Bhutan’s 12th Five-Year plan, (2018-2023) that ended on October 31 this year.
India reiterated its commitment to support the new 13th Five-Year Plan as well in Bhutan.
India and Bhutan agreed to designate the Darranga-Samdrup Jongkhar border crossing between Assam and Bhutan’s less developed-South Eastern district as an immigration check post.
The two sides agreed to strengthen trade infrastructure with the upgrade of an existing land customs station at Dadgiri (Assam).
Bangladesh is expected to help raise Bhutanese opportunities for trade and travel, and bring in much-needed tourism revenues for the neighbouring country.
The Bhutanese King’s plans for Gelephu and the special economic zone, which he had first discussed with Mr. Modi during a visit in April 2023, is targeted at increasing opportunities for work and tourism in Bhutan.
India - Bhutan Relation
Gelephu and Kokrajhar location
Samtse is a town and Samtse District in Bhutan.
The population of the town was 5,396 as of 2017.
The population of the Samtse district was 60,100 at the 2005 census.
Samtse is close to the Bhutan–India border.
Across the border is the Indian town of Chamurchi.
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