 May 2025The Adani Group of India and the Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) of Bhutan have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop 5,000 MW of hydropower and pumped storage projects in Bhutan. This collaboration leverages Bhutan’s vast hydropower potential, supporting domestic energy needs and the export of reliable green energy to India. It will further advance Bhutan’s clean energy ambitions while deepening regional energy cooperation. Read More Tags: |
 April 2025Mr. Deepak Khadka, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation of the Government of Nepal, and Mr. Manohar Lal Khattar, Minister for Power, Housing and Urban Affairs of the Government of India, jointly inspected the ongoing Arun III Hydropower Project in Sankhuwasabha, Nepal. The ministers discussed project progress and challenges, reaffirming the importance of its timely completion for mutual benefit. Read More Tags: |
 April 2025Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal (BBIN) finalized the text for the protocol for the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement to ensure smooth transport between the BBIN countries. The BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement aims to improve intraregional trade and connectivity for passengers, cargo, and vehicular traffic by removing barriers and regulations. Read More Tags: BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement, Trade Facilitation, Transport, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal |
 April 2025"BIMSTEC serves as a vital bridge between South and Southeast Asia, and is emerging as a powerful platform for advancing regional connectivity, cooperation, and shared prosperity," said India Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his speech at the BIMSTEC Summit held in Bangkok, Thailand. Read More Tags: BIMSTEC, Regional Cooperation, Maritime Transport, Energy Cooperation |
 April 2025The Governments of India and Nepal held their 21st Director-General Level Talks on Customs Cooperation in Kathmandu, Nepal, on 10–11 April 2025. Meeting agenda included discussion of updates on the MoU for pre-arrival exchange of customs data, Electronic Origin Data Exchange System, finalization of the Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement, and the extension of the Electronic Cargo Tracking System from rail to road transport. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Trade Facilitation |
 April 2025Thailand and Sri Lanka aim to expedite the implementation of the Thailand-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signed on 3 February 2024. During discussions in Colombo in March 2025, Thai Deputy Minister of Commerce Suchat Chomklin underscored Thailand’s proactive FTA strategy, while representatives from the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce expressed optimism that the FTA would lower trade barriers and benefit key exports. Read More Tags: Thailand, Sri Lanka, Trade |
 April 2025The Governments of Bhutan and Thailand have signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that aims to deepen economic ties and expand export markets. The agreement aims to significantly boost bilateral trade, targeting a trade volume of $120 million. The FTA will help boost Bhutan’s access to the Thai market. Read More Tags: Bhutan, Thailand, Trade |
 April 2025The Government of India, through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade has released a notification on export of specific quantities of essential commodities to Maldives, under the 1981 India and Maldives trade agreement. Bilateral trade between India and the Maldives remains strong, growing from $973.37 million in 2022-2023 to $978.53 million in 2023-2024. This reflects the importance of trade agreements in bolstering regional cooperation and meeting resource needs. Read More Tags: |
 March 2025Birgunj Dry Port in Nepal has received a rail consignment of 90 tank containers carrying 20,000 tons of crude soybean oil for the first time. This milestone signifies a major advancement in Nepal's trade logistics. More efficient rail container shipments is expected to reduce transportation costs by about 15%. Read More Tags: Nepal, India, Trade Facilitation, Trade, Transport |
 March 2025Unit 3 (170 MW) of the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu–II Hydroelectric Project (HEP) was successfully synchronized with the power grid on 19 March 2025. Synchronization of Unit 3 marks an important milestone in the development of the Punatsangchhu-II HEP. Units 1 and 2, with 170 MW each, of the hydropower project were commissioned in December 2024. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Hydropower, Energy |
 March 2025During her visit to India, Ms. Arzu Rana Deuba, Foreign Minister of the Government of Nepal, engaged in crucial discussions with Mr. S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of the Government of India. Their discussions focused primarily on the joint development of hydropower and enhanced trade relations. Read More Tags: India, Nepal, Energy, Trade Facilitation |
 March 2025Nepal has sought India's financial and technical assistance to determine the viability of the proposed 141-kilometer Raxaul-Kathmandu railway, which would create the first direct rail connection between India's border and Nepal's capital. Authorities are considering whether the railroad's length and construction costs can be reduced. The railway will also focus on cargo services while offering passenger transport to improve the project's economic feasibility. Read More Tags: Nepal, India, Transport, Trade Facilitation |
 March 2025A landmark Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan agreement was signed between the Ministry of Finance of Bhutan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to fund the construction of three small hydropower plants to be completed by May 2029. These new hydropower plants will help Bhutan meet its rising domestic power demand and increase electricity exports during the monsoon season. Read More Tags: Japan, Bhutan, Hydropower, Energy |
 March 2025The new railway project connecting Assam's Kokrajhar and Bhutan's Gelephu has been fast-tracked, according to the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), with the final locational survey completed and the detailed project report submitted to the government for approval. Read More Tags: India, Bhutan, Transport |
 February 2025The automated immigration system at the Phuentsholing pedestrian terminal was inaugurated on 21 February 2025. The e-gates will help facilitate a faster and more efficient immigration services for travelers crossing into Bhutan at the Phuentsholing pedestrian terminal. It will allow Bhutanese citizens and foreigners with registered biometrics to clear immigration without manual checks, significantly reducing wait times and enhancing security. Read More Tags: Bhutan, Trade Facilitation, Connectivity |
 February 2025The inauguration of the Jogighopa inland water transport terminal on the Brahmaputra River (National Waterways 2) marks a significant step in India's Act East policy, aiming to strengthen trade and relations with Bhutan and Bangladesh. The launch event flagged off two vessels carrying stone chips and coal to Bangladesh. It was attended by ministers and officials from India and Bhutan, including Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji, Bhutan Minister of Industries, Commerce and Employment. Read More Tags: |
 February 2025Addressing issues in the logistics sector is crucial for economic development, environmental sustainability, and regional integration. An Asian Development Blog article explores the need for Bangladesh, India, and Nepal to adopt strategies, such as enhancing multimodal transport, standardization, and digital integration, to enhance supply chain resilience, reduce costs, and boost export competitiveness, to further boost economic growth and job creation. Read More Tags: |
 February 2025Mr. Sheikh Bashir Uddin, Advisor to the Ministry of Commerce of Bangladesh, urged the implementation of a trade facilitation roadmap and collaboration among working groups to mitigate the challenges associated with the upcoming transition of Bangladesh from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category to a developing nation by November 2026. Read More Tags: |
 February 2025Economic corridors are crucial for stimulating economic growth, creating jobs, and promoting regional integration across SASEC member countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. An Asian Development Blog article explores the role of economic corridor development in South Asia, highlighting its potential to enhance trade, industrialization, and regional connectivity. Read More Tags: |
 January 2025The planned Dodhara Chandani dry port will help boost connectivity of Nepal's far-western region. Set to become Nepal's fourth dry port along the India-Nepal border, the Rs 2.54-billion (around $29 million) project will serve as a major logistical hub and expand landlocked Nepal’s access to India through the Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai. Read More Tags: |
 January 2025India and Nepal have finalized a new agreement for five transmission lines, covering construction, upgrades, and investment modalities. The deal comes as 11,000 megawatts from various hydropower projects are in development. Read More Tags: |
 January 2025 |
 January 2025Maldives and Sri Lanka are strengthening their economic ties by undertaking a series of strategic collaborations aimed at boosting trade and bilateral relations. Initiatives include the development of the Kuda Fushi Islands port in Maldives and bringing benefits to both countries and promoting medical and wellness services in Sri Lanka to people from Maldives. Read More Tags: Maldives, Sri Lanka, Trade, Ports |
 January 2025Mr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam, India, discussed plans for Assam's involvement in the development of Bhutan's Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) at a press conference. Key highlights of Assam's plans are to build transportation links and expand the airport. Read More Tags: Bhutan, India, Trade, Transport, |
 January 2025Dr. Abdulla Khaleel, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, conducted an official visit to India on 2-4 January 2025. During bilateral discussions with Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India, both sides reviewed progress on understandings reached during President Muizzu's visit and addressed issues requiring further attention. Read More Tags: Maldives, India |
 January 2025The Government of Sri Lanka is accelerating the implementation of its National Single Window system, enhancing services for exporters and importers to boost efficiency and competitiveness. Sri Lanka’s Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma highlighted that the Department of Imports and Exports Control began offering online services on 1 January 2025, joining other government agencies in digital service delivery. Read More Tags: |
