Embassy of IndiaThimphu, Bhutan

India-Bhutan technology partnership

1.   The Embassy organized a technology roundtable on 31 January with leading innovators and technology experts in Bhutan for discussing ways to expand India-Bhutan cooperation in the sector of digital technology.

2.    Addressing the roundtable, H.E. Sudhakar Dalela, Ambassador of India to Bhutan, emphasized that the Government of India is committed to further strengthening its close ties of friendship and cooperation with Bhutan across all sectors, including in the technology domain, in keeping with the priorities of the people and the Royal Government of Bhutan. Ambassador announced that the Government of India will be facilitating a special concessional rate as per the request of the Royal Government regarding the Third International Internet Gateway for Bhutan.

3.     Participants at the roundtable included representatives from the Royal Society for STEM, De-suung Skilling Programme, the Royal Government of Bhutan, GovTech Agency, Thimphu TechPark Ltd., Druk Gyalpo’s Institute, a number of civil society organizations, and various private sector tech companies in Bhutan. Participants shared useful suggestions to deepen India-Bhutan collaboration in areas such as development of ICT infrastructure and skilling, enhanced engagement at the industry level, STEM education opportunities, and cross-border digital connectivity and digital payments.

4.     India is collaborating with the Royal Government of Bhutan on a number of technology initiatives including the third international internet gateway for Bhutan, harnessing space technology for societal benefits, ‘Digital Drukyul’, NKN-DrukREN education network, India-Bhutan e-Library project, cross-border fin-tech integration, mutual investments in the tech sector, and STEM education initiatives for Bhutanese youth.

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Thimphu

31 January 2023