Press Release
Seminar on India-Bhutan Ties
Thimphu; 09 October 2026
Embassy of India, Thimphu, in partnership with the Centre for Bhutan and GNH Studies and Asian Confluence, Shillong, organized a day long seminar in Thimphu on 9 October 2026 on “India-Bhutan Ties: Trade, Connectivity, Education, Tourism & Health”. The event brought together senior officials, diplomats, scholars, and experts from India and Bhutan to discuss perspectives and further cooperation opportunities in the areas of trade, connectivity, education, tourism & health
- The inaugural session of the seminar was graced by H.E. Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Employment, Bhutan, who delivered the inaugural address which reflected on the strength of the partnership and opportunities in the four identified sectors. In his keynote address, Ambassador of India to Bhutan, Shri Sandeep Arya, highlighted the dynamic economic growth trajectories of India and Bhutan, showcased trends, efforts and synergies in each of the sectors, and growing significance of bilateral relations in the wider global environment. Dasho Karma Ura, President, Centre for Bhutan and GNH Studies and Mr. M.P. Bezbaruah, Chairman, Governing Council, Asian Confluence also addressed the inaugural session, reflecting on the contribution of such dialogues and institutional partnerships.
- The first session on building the trade relationship on physical connectivity, which was chaired by Amb. Jaideep Mazumdar, Former Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs of India, and Member, Governing Council, Asian Confluence, focused on opportunities to strengthen bilateral trade through improved physical connectivity, trade facilitation, investment and logistical improvements. Eminent members of the panel included Mr. Ambarish Dasgupta, President, Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Founder, Intueri Consulting; Dr. Medha Bisht, Associate Professor, South Asian University; Ms. Neha Yadav, First Secretary, Trade and Commerce, Embassy of India; Mr. Sonam Tshering Dorji, Director, Department of Trade, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE), Bhutan; Mr. Thinley Dorji, General Secretary, Bhutan India Friendship Association, Phuentsholing Chapter; and Mr. Ugyen Namgyal, Director, Druk Green Power Corporation Limited.
- The second session on collaborations in the educational services, which was chaired by Dasho Tashi Pem, Chairperson, Royal Civil Service Commission, deliberated on opportunities to strengthen the long-standing India–Bhutan education cooperation through institutional partnerships, student exchanges, skill development, joint research opportunities and scholarships. Eminent participants in the panel discussion included Dr. Asmita Dani, Dean, Academics and Head, Global Engagement & Partnerships, Symbiosis International University; Mr. Palden Tshering, Chairman, Association of Bhutanese Education Consultancies; Mr. Phub Rinzin, Director General, Department of Workforce Planning and Skills Development, Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD), Bhutan; Dr. Phuntsho Wangdi, President, Paro College of Education; Dr. Pranshu Samdarshi, Associate Professor, Nalanda University; and Mr. Sabyasachi Dutta, Executive Director, Asian Confluence.
- The third session on building cooperation in the field of tourism, which was chaired by Shri M.P. Bezbaruah, Chairman, Hotel Association of India, Chairman, Governing Council, Asian Confluence, and Former Member, North Eastern Council, explored opportunities to strengthen India–Bhutan tourism through joint tourism circuits, improved connectivity, sustainable practices and forging regional partnerships across Bhutan and Northeast India. Eminent participants included Mr. Damcho Rinzin, Director, Department of Tourism, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE), Bhutan; Mr. Diganta Barah, Commissioner & Secretary, Tourism Department, Government of Assam; Mr. Dorji Gyeltshen P, Dzongdag, Samdrup Jongkhar; Mr. E. Banlumlang Blah, Advisor and Founding President, North East India Tourism Confederation (NEITC); and Ms. Thuji Pem, Executive Director, Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators (ABTO).
- The fourth session on collaborations in the health sector, which was chaired by Dr. Pem Namgyal, President, Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan (KGUMSB), focused on strengthening bilateral healthcare cooperation through institutional partnerships, capacity building, public health initiatives and improved access to specialised medical services. Eminent members of the panel included Mr. Aniket Govind Mandavgane, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India; Dasho Pemba Wangchuk, Secretary, Ministry of Health, Bhutan; and Dr. Phub Tshering, Medical Director, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital.
- The seminar brought stakeholders from wide-ranging institutions in India and Bhutan who engaged in substantive discussions and exchanged cross-sectoral perspectives. The seminar appreciated healthy ongoing initiatives in India-Bhutan relations and ideated on the way forward for collaboration in the sectors of trade, connectivity, education, tourism and health.
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