The Minister for Home and Cultural Affairs of Bhutan, Ugyen Dorji, has claimed that India handling the responsibility for the presidency of G-20 is a matter of pride for South Asia. India and Bhutan share a good relationship. The government of India has allocated a significant share of its budget to the Ministry of External Affairs.
Bhutan will receive financial assistance from India for several important developmental initiatives. Health, digitisation and other sectors are the fields in which India will assist their neighbouring nation. Talking Bhutan minister’s remarks, he made those while inaugurating the Y-20 cultural evening. The Minister of Cultural Affairs claimed that his nation would also benefit from the G-20 presidency of India. Notably, the Y-20 initiative is a forum for youth from all G20 member countries to discuss various important issues.
The total amount of financial support totals 2,400.58 crores. Of this amount, 1,632.24 crores will be a “grant” and 768.34 crores a loan. The governments of India and Bhutan are hosting the 5th Bhutan-India Small Development Project (SDP)/High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) Committee meeting in Thimphu on February 28. The meeting aligns with the 12th 5-year plan.
Meanwhile, the committee reviews the 524 Projects implemented across 20 Dzongkhags and 4 Thromdes. Currently, the committed has approved a budget of 850 crores for the local government areas in various areas of development, including urban infrastructure, irrigation channels, water supply, agricultural roads, bridges, and health and education infrastructure.
The government of India also extended a grant of 100 crores to help the youth of Bhutan in p[articipating in Nation building activities through the Gyalsung Project. India handed over the grant through Indian Ambassador to Bhutan, Sudhakar Dalela, in a special ceremony.
India is extending their support to its neighbour, Bhutan, under the administration’s neighbourhood first policy. The country wants to continue to help their neighbours in their respective developmental avenues through the G-20 Presidency
