New Delhi, Jun 29 :India and Bhutan have agreed to implement some new development projects in various sectors such as road infrastructure, water management, industrial parks and management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The projects under the Project Tied Assistance (PTA) programme were decided at the third India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks held in a virtual mode on Monday. Rahul Chhabra, Secretary, Economic Relations, in the Ministry of External Affairs and Foreign Secretary of Bhutan Kinga Singye led the respective side at the talks.

The bilateral development cooperation talks is an important mechanism to review the entire gamut of India’s development partnership with Bhutan with which it holds a privileged partnership.

India has committed Rs 4,500 crore for the implementation of development projects and Rs 400 crore for the transitional Trade Support Facility during Bhutan’s 12th Five Year Plan (2018 – 2023).

Seventy seven large and intermediate projects and 524 Small Development Projects (SDPs)/ High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) are at various stages of implementation under the 12th Five Year Plan (2018-2023).

With Bhutan’s 12th Five Year Plan completing its third year, the two sides reviewed the overall progress of the ongoing Project Tied Assistance projects, as well as the SDPs/HICDPs.

Bhutan’s Foreign Secretary commended India’s role in the socio-economic transformation of Bhutan and also highlighted the impact of HICDPs at the grassroots level.

He also appreciated India’s gesture to frontload the release of funds for various projects, keeping in view the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Indian side remains committed to continue to support Bhutan in its development efforts,” said MEA in statement.

India is also, reports suggest, making efforts to help its smallest neighbour to get vaccines from outside as the export ban is still in force in the country.

The two sides agreed to hold the next round of development cooperation talks on a mutually agreed date.(UNI)