 September 2024The Bhutan-India Commerce Secretary-Level Meeting held on 27 September 2024 focused on expediting cross-border trade and connectivity infrastructure, including the establishment of an Integrated Check Post in Jaigaon (India)-Phuentsholing (Bhutan) and rail-links between Kokrajhar (India)-Gelephu (Bhutan) and Banarhat (India)-Samtse (Bhutan). Read More Tags: |
 September 2024Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli met on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Both Prime Ministers agreed to expand people-to-people and trade relations and highlighted advancing collaborations in bilateral and multilateral forums. Read More Tags: |
 August 2024Nepal has taken a significant step in enhancing its energy cooperation with India by signing a $12.36 million contract for an 18 km cross-border electricity transmission line under the broader Electricity Transmission Project of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Nepal Compact. Read More Tags: |
 August 2024The Druk Green Power Corporation of Bhutan and the Adani Group of India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of the Wangchhu Hydropower Project. This agreement marks a significant step in the ongoing cooperation between Bhutan and India in the energy sector. Read More Tags: |
 August 2024Southeast and South Asia are two of the most dynamic and fastest growing regions in the world. Increasing integration between the two regions requires increased cooperation between regional institutions. BIMSTEC can enhance its implementation record and delivery by increasing cooperation with SASEC in areas where SASEC excels, such as in connectivity, economic corridor development, trade facilitation, tourism, and green energy. Read More Tags: South Asia, Southeast Asia, SAARC, SASEC, BIMSTEC, Regional Cooperation |
 August 2024The passenger ferry service between India and Sri Lanka resumed operations on 16 August 2024, marking a significant milestone in strengthening bilateral relations and maritime connectivity. The Sivagangai ferry successfully completed its inaugural journey between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu, India, and Kankesanthurai, in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, covering approximately 60 nautical miles in about 3.5 hours. Read More Tags: |
 August 2024Mr. Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary of the Government of India, met with Dr. Arzu Rana Deuba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Nepal, in Kathmandu, Nepal, to discuss bilateral matters and ways to further strengthen India-Nepal cooperation in various sectors. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Regional Cooperation |
 August 2024Mr. Masood Imad, High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka, emphasized the importance of collaboration between Maldives and Sri Lanka in promoting tourism and strengthening economic ties during the 16th Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lanka-Maldives Business Council. Read More Tags: Maldives, Sri Lanka, Tourism, Economic cooperation |
 July 2024The Memorandum of Understanding signed by the governments of Bhutan and India, attended by Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a renewed focus on the construction of cross-border railway linkages between Bhutan and India. Feasibility studies are currently underway. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Rail Transport |
 July 2024Mr. Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary of the Government of India to Bhutan, undertook an official visit to Bhutan in July 2024. During the Third India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks, both countries discussed the implementation of India's development support for Bhutan's 13th Five Year Plan. A key highlight of the talks was the approval of 61 projects covering a wide range of sectors. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Energy, Connectivity |
 July 2024The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Foreign Ministers' Retreat drew to a close on 11-12 July 2024, as foreign ministers gathered to strengthen cooperation among the BIMSTEC member countries. Mr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India External Affairs Minister, lauded the retreat, describing it as "productive" and the meetings "highly useful." Read More Tags: India, BIMSTEC, Regional Cooperation, Trade, Energy, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand |
 June 2024To address the additional costs and logistical challenges faced by areca nut producers from other regions, the government of Bhutan is actively engaging with India to include more land customs stations (LCS) for areca nut exports. Formal requests have been sent by the Government of Bhutan to the Government of India to allow exports through (i) Hatisar-Gelephu, (ii) Daranga-Samdrup Jongkhar, (iii) Kulkuli-Lhamoizingkha, and (iv) Kamardwisa-Nganglam. Read More Tags: Bhutan, Trade, India |
 June 2024The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase in Bangladesh has approved a proposal to import 40 megawatts of electricity from Nepal. This marks a significant step in energy cooperation between Bangladesh and Nepal. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Nepal, Energy |
 June 2024Speaking at the 27th anniversary of inception of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal says Nepal is committed to work for the well-being of the peoples of the BIMSTEC region. Prime Minister Dahal said regional cooperation is the key to the stability and economic prosperity in today’s complex, interconnected world. Read More Tags: Nepal, BIMSTEC, Regional Cooperation |
 June 2024Mr. Moosa Zameer, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Maldives, met with Sri Lanka Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena to discuss strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries. They exchanged views on expanding ties in areas including trade and investment. Read More Tags: Maldives, Sri Lanka, Trade |
May 2024 The Government of India has proposed a trial train service from India to the Bhutanese border via Bangladesh. In response, Bangladesh Railway has prepared two route proposals and sought input from various ministries and departments. Read More Tags: Rail, Bhutan, India, Bangladesh |
 May 2024To support the BIMSTEC region in developing an efficient transport network and develop infrastructure, BIMSTEC member countries adopted the BIMSTEC Master Plan for Transport Connectivity in March 2022. The plan identifies 267 transport projects requiring about $124.4 billion in investments from 2018 to 2028. This article appears on the Development Asia website. Read More Tags: BIMSTEC, Transport, Regional Cooperation |
 May 2024The Government of the United States of America (USA) aims to pursue new avenues of collaboration to support sustainable growth in the ports, shipping, and logistics sectors in Sri Lanka and the region. The Driving Sustainable Development in the Ports Sector event showcased how the ports and shipping industries can reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining efficiency. Read More Tags: Ports, Trade Facilitation, Sri Lanka, Maldives |
 May 2024Seven countries now generate nearly all their electricity from renewable energy sources, according to newly compiled figures by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Bhutan and Nepal produced more than 99.7% of their electricity using geothermal, hydro, solar, or wind power. Read More Tags: Bhutan, Nepal, Energy |
 May 2024The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Charter officially came into force on 20 May 2024. This development marks a crucial step forward for the regional organization, opening up new avenues for collaboration and growth. Read More Tags: BIMSTEC, Regional Cooperation |
 May 2024A new ADB project, named Promoting Energy Transition through Regional Cooperation and Integration in South Asia, will prepare cross-border energy projects, conduct capacity development, and facilitate cooperation among energy agencies in among SASEC countries. Read More Tags: Energy, Regional Cooperation, South Asia, ADB |
 May 2024The Asian Development Bank (ADB) released a new 5-year country partnership strategy (CPS) for 2024 to 2028 in support for Sri Lanka’s push to restore the country’s macroeconomic stability. The strategy aims to lay the foundation for sustainable recovery, resilience, and growth. Read More Tags: Sri Lanka, Trade Facilitation, ADB, Renewable Energy |
 May 2024Bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Bhutan has experienced significant growth, doubling to $22.1 million in the fiscal year 2022-2023 following the implementation of the preferential trade agreement (PTA) in 2022. The PTA with Bhutan is Bangladesh’s first PTA. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Trade |
 April 2024The 9th Commerce Secretary Level Meeting between Bhutan and Bangladesh committed to strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation and discussed various areas of cooperation, including tourism, trade facilitation, investments, customs, standards, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and agriculture. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Trade |
 April 2024The governments of Bangaldesh and Bhutan reviewed bilateral relations and agreed to further strengthen cooperation in areas including trade, investment, energy, tourism, and connectivity at their Third Foreign Office Consultation. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Energy, Trade Facilitation |
 April 2024The 7th Commerce Secretary Level Meeting between Bangladesh and Nepal, held in Kathmandu, Nepal, on 18-19 April 2024, highlighted the need to finalize Bangladesh and Nepal’s Preferential Trade Agreement and progress in implementing the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal Motor Vehicles Agreement.ban-nep-cslm-7 Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Nepal, Trade |
 April 2024The third round of Foreign Office Consultations between the governments of Bangladesh and Nepal, reviewed bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction with the countries' excellent state of affairs. The meeting agreed to promote cooperation in various sectors, including trade, commerce, transit, connectivity, power, energy, and tourism. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Nepal, Regional Cooperation, Trade, Transport, Energy, Tourism |
 April 2024The International Solar Alliance will grant Bhutan $200,000-$300,000 to establish a Solar Technology Application Resource Centre at the College of Science and Technology in Phuentsholing. This center is expected to become a hub for solar technology research, development, and application. Read More Tags: Solar Energy, Bhutan |
 March 2024The electric power trade agreement between India and Nepal has been renewed for a three-month period. This will facilitate the import and export of electricity between the two nations. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Energy |
 March 2024Mr. Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, Minister of State for Shipping of the Government of Bangladesh and Mr. Damodar Bhandari, Nepal Minister of Commerce met to discuss ways to increase Banglaesh-Nepal trade. Among the topics discussed was the improvement of land transport between Banglabandha land port in Bangladesh and Kakarbhita land port in Nepal. A 37-kilometer route could be established between the two ports through India. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Nepal, Trade, Bhutan |
 March 2024The Governments of Bhutan and India exchanged multiple agreements across various sectors, encompassing energy, trade, digital connectivity, space, and agriculture. They also finalized the MoU on establishment of rail connectivity, marking a comprehensive enhancement of cooperation between the two nations. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Energy, Trade |
 March 2024Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay embarked on his first overseas visit to India upon the invitation of India Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He shared insights into the priorities of the Royal Government of Bhutan. Prime Minister Modi affirmed India's unwavering support for Bhutan's ambition to become a high-income nation. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Regional Cooperation |
 March 2024Bhutan officials have selected a master plan by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for building a new runway for the Gelephu Airport. Under the master plan, a new 3,000-meter-long runway will be built at around 50 to 60 meters above the current runway. The master plan provides an option to extend the runway in the future to 3,500 meters. Read More Tags: ADB, Tourism, Transport, Bhutan, India |
 March 2024India Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the third Land Port at Sabroom, Tripura, where he emphasized the importance of developing India’s northeastern region. The Sabroom Land Port is expected to boost trade and commerce with Southeast Asian countries via the Chattogram port in Bangladesh. Read More Tags: India, Trade Facilitation |
 March 2024 |
 February 2024The Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project (PHPA-II) in Wangdue, Bhutan, has reached a pivotal phase with the successful filling of its reservoir on 21 February 2024. With a capacity of 7 million cubic meters of water, it will support a 1,020 MW facility expected to produce 4,357 million units of electricity each year. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Energy, Hydropower |
 February 2024The new Integrated Checkpost (ICP) at Sabroom in Tripura, India, and its counterpart in Ramgarh Upazila, Bandarban, Bangladesh, is set to usher in a transformative phase in the trade dynamics between India and Bangladesh. The Sabroom ICP is designed to be a comprehensive terminal and logistics hub. Read More Tags: India, Trade Facilitation, Tripura |
 February 2024Mr. Pranay Verma, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, said the future of Bangladesh-India ties lie in efficient multimodal connectivity, through connectivity via road, rail, inland waterways, and coastal shipping. Read More Tags: Trade, Transport, Inland waterways, Bangladesh, India |
 February 2024Mr. Hasan Mahmud, Foreign Minister of the Government of Bangladesh, has emphasized the importance of finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding with Bhutan for the import of hydropower during a meeting with Mr. Rinchen Kuentsyl, Bhutan’s Ambassador to Bangladesh. Dr. Mahmud also encouraged Bhutan to reconsider its participation in the BBIN initiative. Read More Tags: Bangladesh, Bhutan, BBIN, Motor Vehicles Agreement |
 February 2024The river trade route between Rajshahi in Bangladesh and Murshidabad in India was opened on 12 February 2024 to strengthen trade between the two countries. The Sultanganj Port of Call under Godagari Upazila in the district also resumed operations to serve the river trade route and strengthen trade and economic ties between Bangladesh and India. Read More Tags: Trade, Transport, Bangladesh, India, Inland waterways |
 February 2024Mr. Nasrul Hamid, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources of the Government of Bangladesh, has requested the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to fix "actual" energy prices and establish a power market to allow Bangladesh to import and export electricity from and to neighboring countries. Mr. Hamid met with Mr. Takeo Konishi, director general, ADB South Asia Department, and Mr. Edimon Ginting, ADB country director for Bangladesh. Read More Tags: Energy, ADB, Connectivity, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan |
 February 2024Railway service between Agartala and Kolkata, India, through Bangladesh is set to begin and expand rail connectivity in Tripura, India, according to Mr. Manik Saha, chief minister of Tripura. Read More Tags: India, Bangladesh, Rail, Transport |
 February 2024India Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for multiple road projects in Guwahati, Assam. The projects include the upgrading of 43 roads under the SASEC Corridor Connectivity Project. Among the projects are the upgrading of the Dolabari to Jamuguri road and the Biswanath Chariali to Gohpur road, both of which will be upgraded to 4 lanes to help push economic development in the region. Read More Tags: India, Road, Economic corridor, SASEC, Southeast Asia |
 January 2024PTC India Limited has commenced power supply from Bhutan’s Nikachhu Hydropower Project. The electricity supply will be imported from Bhutan to Assam under the Long Term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) executed in 2014. Read More Tags: Hydropower, Bhutan, India, Energy |
 January 2024Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe , held talks on the sidelines of the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Uganda. They discussed issues of bilateral interests. Read More Tags: Nepal, Sri Lanka, Tourism |
 January 2024The Consortium of Indian Industry (CII) and the World Economic Forum held a roundtable discussion that focused on Sri Lanka’s economic vision, led by Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe. He highlighted key factors to Sri Lanka’s sustained economic growth. Read More Tags: India, Sri Lanka, Economy |
 January 2024The India-Nepal Inter-Governmental Sub-Committee (IGSC) on Trade, Transit, and Cooperation to Combat Unauthorized Trade met on 12–13 January 2024 in Kathmandu, Nepal. The meeting highlighted the commitment by the two countries to bolster trade and investment ties to achieve the shared vision of prosperous bilateral trade. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Trade |
 January 2024The Governments of India and Nepal signed a long-term power trade agreement on 4 January 2024. The agreement is a 25-year deal, and aims to export 10,000 megawatts of electricity to India in the next ten years. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Energy |
