This comes after the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk.
The two sides agreed to undertake the Final Location Survey (FLS), in consultation with the Bhutanese side, of the proposed cross-border rail link connecting Kokrajhar in Assam to Gelephu in Bhutan through the support of Indian government.
The two sides noted successful completion of the Preliminary Engineering-cum-Traffic (PET) survey of the rail-link by Indian Railways. The two sides also agreed to consider establishing rail-link between Banarhat (West Bengal) and Samtse (Bhutan), the statement added.
India and Bhutan also agreed to designate Darranga (Assam) and Samdrup Jongkhar (Bhutan) as immigration check post between Bhutan and India to facilitate the entry and exit of third country nationals by land route for enhancing connectivity, and promoting tourism.
The joint statement stated that the Indian government will positively consider Bhutan’s request for ‘concessional financing’ in the area of skill development and capacity building under the GyalSung Project.
The Haldibari (West Bengal) – Chilahati (Bangladesh) rail route will also be designated as an additional trade route for Bhutan’s trade with Bangladesh, the statement added.
The Indian government will provide bridge financing for the period between 12th and 13th Five Year Plans of Bhutan for projects and schemes assisted by Indian government.
The two countries agreed to strengthen trade infrastructure, including by suitable upgradation of the existing Land Customs station at Dadgiri (Assam) to Integrated Check Post through GOI support along with development of facilities on the Bhutanese side at Gelephu (Bhutan), the joint statement read.
