Bhutan

Bhutan's largest export market, the biggest source of its imports and one of the top foreign investors in the country

US$ 694.10mn is value of Bhutan's imports from India in 2019-20

Bhutan is an important pillar of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy

One-third of Bhutan’s exports to India is electricity

Up to 4,000 Bhutanese students are enrolled in Indian Universities

7.4%
Expected growth in 2020

US$ 1,083.32mn

Bilateral trade value in 2020-2021

60,000
Overseas Indians living in Bhutan

Hydropower projects

providing inexpensive, clean electricity to India, and generating export revenue

Tourism

potential through its pristine, untouched environment and their Gross National Happiness philosophy as an attraction

Agriculture

FDI in organic farming, poultry and dairy farming, floriculture and biotech

Construction

is booming due to rapid urbanization, particularly around Thimphu and Bhutan's hydropower projects

India-Bhutan Bilateral Relations

Diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan were established in 1968, following the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation being signed in 1949 between the two countries, and revised in 2007.

State Visit of Prime Minister of India to Bhutan

Memoranda of Understanding/ Agreements were exchanged during the visit between Department of Information Technology and Telecom of RGoB and Indian Space Research Organisation.

State Visit of Prime Minister of Bhutan to India (December 28, 2018)

During the visit, the representatives discussed the Implementation of ongoing bilateral hydro-power projects in Bhutan. The commitment to jointly develop 10,000 MWs of hydropower generating capacity in Bhutan and in this regard discussed the Sankosh Hydropower Project.

Launch of the Indo-Bhutan e-library

Integrated by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), the proposed e-Library will facilitate the setting up of digital infrastructure in 12 colleges and 49 central schools across all Dzongkhags.

MoU between India and Bhutan in Environmental Collaboration

The MoU will facilitate mutual cooperation in chemical management, climate change and water management for a period of ten years. Participants across the private and public sectors in addition to members of academia will be identified for engagement.

Telephone Conversation between the Prime Ministers of India and Bhutan

During the conversation, the Heads of State committed to sustain bilateral initiatives in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Launch of RuPay card Phase -II

The launch of RuPay Phase-II will allow users access to PoS terminals and ATMs in both nations.

India's Exports and Imports to Bhutan

Source: Department of Commerce

Bhutan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI)

+975 2 322742 / 324254

Visit Website

P.O. Box # 147 Doybhum Lam - Chubachu, Thimphu, Bhutan

Embassy of India, Thimphu

(+975) 2 322162

Visit Website

India House Estate,Jungshina, Thimphu, Bhutan

Commercial Representative

(+975) 2 323227

Visit Website

Second Secretary (Political & Economic)

Opportunities

Agricultural exports

Carcasses/half-carcasses of bovine animals, fresh/chilled (020110)
Carcasses/half-carcasses of swine, fresh/chilled (020311)

agriexchange.apeda.gov.in

Sweet biscuits (190531)

agriexchange.apeda.gov.in

Semi-milled/wholly milled rice, whether or not polished/glazed (100630)

agriexchange.apeda.gov.in

Undenatured ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80% vol. (220710)

agriexchange.apeda.gov.in

Milk in powder/granules/oth. solid form, fat content by wt. not >1.5% (040210)
Processed cheese, not grated/powdered (040630)

agriexchange.apeda.gov.in

Stuffed pasta, whether or not cooked/othw. prepd. (190220)

agriexchange.apeda.gov.in

OTHER CANE SUGAR: (170114)

agriexchange.apeda.gov.in

Husked (brown) rice (100620)

agriexchange.apeda.gov.in

Minerals

Reserve: 1.04 million tonnes

nsb.gov.bt

Reserves: 2.04 Million tonnes

nsb.gov.bt

Reserve: 14,542 mt

nsb.gov.bt

Reserve: 48.75 million tonnes

nsb.gov.bt

Reserve: Iron Ore – 2.69 million tonnes

nsb.gov.bt

Reserve: 3.29 tonnes

nsb.gov.bt

Reserve: 164.65 million tonnes

nsb.gov.bt

Reserve: 0.13 million tonnes

nsb.gov.bt

Reserve: 3.87 million tonnes

nsb.gov.bt

Priority Sectors

Here are the leading sectors of opportunities for foreign investors

Agriculture

Automobile

Chemicals

Electrical Machinery

Electronic Systems

Renewable Energy

Thermal Power

Tourism

Top Import/ Export Items

India's top import from Bhutan

Electricity
Ferro-silicon
Portland cement
Carbides of calcium carbides of silicon
Cement clinkers
Dolomite
Timber and wood products
Potatoes
Cardamom
Fruit products

India's top export to Bhutan

Mineral products
Machinery and mechanical appliances
Electrical equipment
Base metals
Vehicles
Vegetable products
Plastics and articles

Bilateral Investors

SJVNL Ltd

Bhutan

India-Bhutan Bilateral Relations

State Visit of Prime Minister of India to Bhutan

State Visit of Prime Minister of Bhutan to India (December 28, 2018)

Launch of the Indo-Bhutan e-library

MoU between India and Bhutan in Environmental Collaboration

Telephone Conversation between the Prime Ministers of India and Bhutan

Launch of RuPay card Phase -II

Bhutan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI)