Cabinet approves signing of various MoUs between India and Bhutan | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Cabinet approves signing of various MoUs between India and Bhutan

Posted 14 Mar 2024

Updated 27 Mar 2024

2 min read

  • Signed MoUs areas and their Significance
    • General Supply of Petroleum and Related Products: To promote trade in hydrocarbons and to ensure a secured supply of petroleum to Bhutan.
    • Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation: To assist Bhutan in enhancing energy efficiency in the household sector by promoting star labeling program.
    • Food safety: T0 promotes ease of doing business by reducing compliance costs.

 

  • India and Bhutan's Relationship: The basic framework of the relationship is the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949, which was renewed in 2007.
    • Trade: Bilateral trade reached $ 1.42 Billion (2021-22), accounting for 80% of Bhutan’s overall trade, India is Bhutan’s top import and export destination.
      • Trade, Commerce, and Transit Agreement (2016) establishes a free trade regime and allows Bhutan duty-free transit of goods to/from third countries.
    • Developmental: Scholarships to Bhutanese students, support in Skill development initiatives and sectors like health, agriculture, etc.
    • Hydropower: India constructed four major hydroelectric projects in Bhutan.
    • New areas of Cooperation: Launch of RuPay, and BHIM app in Bhutan, joint development of India-Bhutan SAT, etc.  
  • Challenges: Bhutan-China border discussions on the Doklam plateau, Delay in completion of projects by India, etc.
  • Tags :
  • Bhutan
  • India and Bhutan
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