India and Bhutan have agreed on several new measures to enhance their cooperation in areas such as hydropower, trade and space, including the finalisation of a joint plan of action to deepen the space technology partnership.
These measures were finalised during Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck’s visit to New Delhi which ended on Wednesday. The visit came against the backdrop of renewed focus on Bhutan’s efforts to resolve a border dispute with China, and Indian officials said the security concerns of New Delhi and Thimphu are “intertwined and indivisible”.
The two sides will focus on new areas of cooperation such as startups, space and STEM education, following progress in the space sector, including the launch of the first satellite developed by India and Bhutan and the inauguration of the ground earth station in Thimphu, said a joint statement issued on Wednesday.
The two countries will deepen the space technology partnership by expeditiously finalising a joint plan of action, the joint statement said.