India hands over Nu 2.90 billion to Bhutan for Thirteenth Five Year Plan projects

13 October 2026

India has handed over cheques worth Nu 2.90 billion, or about Rs 290 crore, to Bhutan's Ministry of Finance for projects under Bhutan's Thirteenth Five Year Plan. The money was given at the nineteenth Monthly Coordination Meeting on the Government of India's support for the plan, held in Thimphu. Part of it goes to college infrastructure at the Royal University of Bhutan, to skilling programmes and to exchanges for teachers and students. A second phase of chain-link fencing to protect crops and the redevelopment of the Phuentsholing Sports Association ground are also funded. The rest covers a National Weather and Flood Warning Centre in Thimphu, teaching technology at eight Royal University of Bhutan colleges and a Digital Skilling Programme of Rs 8.83 crore under Digital Drukyul. Infrastructure at the Royal Institute of Management, a district court in Thimphu and the renovation of Gelephu General Hospital were covered as well. India is the largest external partner for Bhutan's five year plans, and the Thirteenth Five Year Plan is the country's current plan period. Bhutan builds its development planning around Gross National Happiness rather than counting output alone.