Guwahati: The ancient and abiding relationship between Bhutan, Assam, and Northeast India is all set to embark on a new chapter of economic cooperation, fuelled by common geography, culture, and a shared vision of prosperity. As Bhutan sets its sights on widening its trade and investment sphere, Assam and the Northeast region as a whole emerge as strategic allies, holding out enormous promise in connectivity, commerce, and cross-border development.
From increased trade corridors and multimodal logistics centres to futuristic urban developments such as Gelephu Mindfulness City, the emerging Bhutan-Assam-Northeast India alliance holds out new promises for regional development and integration over the next decade.
Emphasising Bhutan's historic economic and cultural connections with India, Jigme Thinlye Namgyal, Consul General of the Royal Bhutanese Consulate General, Guwahati, stressed Bhutan's vision for shared growth through strong cross-border trade in his speech at the Northeast Business Conclave 2.0. He also appealed using the special geographical and historical linkages between Bhutan and Assam to explore new opportunities for common prosperity.
Bhutan and India share a 699-kilometre-long border, with 267 kilometres adjoining Assam, making India the largest and most critical trade partner of Bhutan. According to the latest trade statistics, Bhutan’s imports from India total approximately USD 980 million, while exports to India amount to USD 421 million, together accounting for nearly 80 per cent of Bhutan’s total trade volume.
Adding to this, as per 2023 trade data, India exported goods worth approximately USD 980 million to Bhutan, while Bhutan’s exports to India amounted to USD 421 million. The key items exported from India include refined petroleum (USD 165 million), iron reductions (USD 39.3 million), and propylene polymers (USD 37.6 million). On the other hand, Bhutan’s major exports to India comprise ferroalloys (USD 183 million), planes and helicopters (USD 103 million), and dolomite (USD 50.5 million).
1. Imports from India: Petroleum products, vehicles, rice, cement, steel, machinery, equipment, fertilizers, and pesticides.
2. Exports to India: Electricity, ferroalloys, dolomite, cement, silicon carbide, semi-finished iron and non-alloy steel, pebbles, and gravel.
"Our bilateral trade is regulated under the Agreement on Trade, Commerce, and Transit, renewed in 2016, providing a free trade regime that enables Bhutan's international trade through India," said Namgyal.
In a significant boost to cross-border trade, seven designated routes, including three river ports in Assam, have been officially notified. Of special significance is the Inland Waterway Transport Terminal at Jogighopa, Assam, recently inaugurated by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, in the presence of Bhutan's Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Employment, H.E. Namgyal Dorji.
Describing it as a "game-changer for regional economic development," said Namgyal and added that the Jogighopa multimodal logistics hub will offer cost-effective and environmentally friendly channels of trade, particularly to Gelephu, Samdrup Jongkhar, and Samdrup Choling in Bhutan.
Additionally, Assam’s improving road connectivity further facilitates trade:
* Guwahati to Samdrup Jongkhar: 100 km
* Guwahati to Monglam: 130 km
* Guwahati to Gelephu: 200 km
The Darranga Immigration Checkpoint in Assam, dedicated in November 2024, has facilitated cross-border mobility, also paving the way for easy travel of third-country citizens. "This has sparked discussion on the promotion of Bhutan-Assam as a circuit tourism and trade route," noted Namgyal.
H.E Namgyal further unveiled Bhutan’s roadmap to becoming a High-Income, Gross National Happiness (GNH) economy under the 13th Five-Year Plan, aiming to:
* Double GDP from USD 2.9 billion to USD 5 billion by 2029.
* Reach USD 10 billion by 2034.
At the core of this vision is the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) — a revolutionary, cutting-edge city project conceived under the vision of His Majesty The King of Bhutan, positioned near Chirang and Kokrajhar districts of Assam.
Planned as a unique investment destination, GMC will integrate:
* Renewable energy.
* Advanced logistics and technology-driven industries spanning finance, healthcare, education, and wellness.
* A guiding framework of mindfulness and spirituality, setting a global precedent for sustainable urbanization.
Speaking of Advantage Assam 2.0 Infrastructure and Investment Summit, Namgyal defined Assam as India's emerging economic powerhouse, with the potential to be one of the top drivers of growth as India aspires to be a developed nation by 2047.
"As Bhutan and India, and especially Assam, are linked by geography and common destiny, our alliance is inherently geared towards mutual advancement," said Namgyal further, calling on the two countries to use their complementarities for long-term prosperity.
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