Bhutanese Foreign Secretary Aum Pema Choden co-chairs India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks

She visited India at the invitation of Foreign Secretary of India Vinay Kwatra.

The two Foreign Secretaries reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral cooperation and discussed ways to further strengthen it across diverse sectors.

"Both Foreign Secretaries co-chaired the India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks (Plan Talks). The Bhutanese side shared details regarding Bhutan’s 13th Five Year Plan," read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Foreign Secretary Kwatra conveyed India’s commitment to partner with Bhutan based on the priorities of the government and people of the Himalayan nation, and advancing the bilateral partnership, including newer areas.

"The two Foreign Secretaries noted with appreciation the progress on bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, development partnership, cross-border connectivity, trade and economic ties, digital development, science and technology, skill development and furthering people-to-people ties," read the statement.

It was agreed that both sides will continue to work to further strengthen such cooperation in keeping with the Joint Statement issued during the official visit of the King of Bhutan to India in April 2023.

The Foreign Secretary of Bhutan called on the External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar on July 29.

"India and Bhutan share an exemplary bilateral relationship characterized by utmost trust, goodwill and mutual understanding at all levels, strong bonds of friendship and close people-to-people ties," read the statement.

The visit of the Foreign Secretary of Bhutan reinforced the long-standing tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries to discuss all issues of mutual interest.