India and Bhutan to deepen economic and developmental cooperation during Union Finance Minister’s visit

Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman is leading the Indian delegation from the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, on an official visit to Bhutan from 30^th October to 2^nd November 2025.

The Union Finance Minister will begin her official tour with a visit to the historic Sangchen Choekhor Monastery, established in 1765 and home to over 100 monks engaged in advanced Buddhist studies, later today.

As part of the visit, Smt. Sitharaman will visit and observe several key projects being implemented with support of the Government of India. These include the Kurichhu Hydropower Plant Dam and Powerhouse, the Gyalsung Academy, the Sangchen Choekhor Monastery and Punakha Dzong.

The Union Finance Minister is scheduled to call on His Majesty the King of Bhutan, H.E. Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, and Prime Minister of Bhutan, H.E. Dasho Tshering Tobgay. She will also hold a bilateral meeting with the Finance Minister of Bhutan, Mr. Lekey Dorji, to discuss avenues for further strengthening India–Bhutan economic and financial cooperation.

As part of the official programme, Smt. Sitharaman will attend presentations on key developmental initiatives, including:

• The energy sector of Bhutan by Druk Green Power Corporation Limited (DGPC);
• Bhutan’s 21st Century Economic Roadmap
• Banking/Financial sector in Bhutan by Druk PNB and the Bank of Bhutan; and
• The Gelephu Mindfulness City project

The Union Finance Minister will also visit the Cottage & Small Industries (CSI) Market, where she will witness a transaction using India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), reflecting the growing digital and financial connectivity between the two nations.

In the last segment of her official visit, Smt. Sitharaman will visit the Punakha Dzong — Bhutan’s second-oldest and second-largest dzong. On the way to the Punakha Dzong, Smt. Sitharaman will also interact with Bhutanese farmers to understand their agricultural practices, challenges, and opportunities.

The visit underscores India’s enduring partnership with Bhutan, rooted in mutual respect, trust, and shared commitment to progress and prosperity in the region.

Economic cooperation deepened through infrastructure review, banking dialogue, and digital payments demonstration during ministerial visit. The ministerial visit focuses on advancing economic and developmental cooperation by reviewing India-supported infrastructure projects such as the Kurichhu Hydropower Plant, receiving sectoral presentations on energy, banking, and Bhutan's economic roadmap, and holding bilateral meetings with Bhutanese finance officials to explore strengthened economic and financial collaboration.