In a history move, India announced 2 cross-border rail links with Bhutan, marking a major milestone in the bilateral ties between the two nations. Under Modi government India is focusing on strengthening bilateral ties with several nations, in this context India has now decided to build two cross-border train links with Bhutan at a cost of over Rs 4,000 crore. It is India’s first such railway connectivity projects with the Himalayan nation to boost trade and economic engagement.
India Unveils its Plan to Build 2 Cross-Border Rail Links with Bhutan
The groundbreaking announcement to build 2 cross-border rail links with Bhutan, paves the way for seamless rail travel and enhanced trade opportunities between India and its Himalayan neighbour. The official announcement on the new rail projects linking the Bhutanese cities of Gelephu and Samtse with Kokrajhar in Assam and Banarhat in West Bengal respectively were made public by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
89 kms of railway lines will be laid under the two projects and work is expected to be completed in the next four years. In this context, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in his joint media briefing with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that “India and Bhutan share a relationship of exceptional trust, mutual respect, and understanding, they further added that their relationship is rooted in cultural and civilizational ties, extensive people-to-people relations, and shared developmental and security interests.
This strategic announcement by India comes at a time when China is putting all its efforts in increasing its influence over Bhutan. Misri said the two governments have agreed to establish two cross-border rail links between Banarhat and Samtse and Kokrajhar and Gelephu. The project, costing approximately Rs 4,033 crore, will integrate Bhutan into India’s extensive 150,000 km railway network, offering a “significant advantage of the network effect,” according to Indian officials.