Archive · 17 Sep 2026
India and Bhutan Expand Ties With UPI and Projects
India and Bhutan worked on several projects during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit.
Bhutanese visitors to India can now use UPI to make digital payments.
Indian visitors were already able to use UPI in Bhutan, so payments can now work in both directions.
India gave Bhutan 54 electric vehicles to support cleaner transportation.
It also provided 43 Jersey cows for a program that helps local dairy farmers.
Jaishankar opened a hospital for mothers and children in Mongar.
He also opened a bridge and began a small hydropower project.
The two countries said these activities support their close friendship and cooperation.
India and Bhutan launched the second phase of international UPI, allowing Bhutanese visitors to pay digitally in India.
S Jaishankar met Bhutanese leaders during his September 16–18 visit to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
India handed over 54 electric vehicles and 43 purebred Jersey cows to support Bhutan’s e-mobility and dairy programs.
Jaishankar inaugurated a 65-bed mother-and-child hospital and an 80-metre bridge in Bhutan.
He also launched a 500 KW hydropower project and renewed cooperation on the Nehru-Wangchuck Scholarship.
- Who
- India, Bhutan, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, and Foreign Minister D N Dhungyel.
- What
- The countries launched the second phase of international UPI and advanced projects involving transport, health, energy, education, and agriculture.
- When
- During Jaishankar’s visit from September 16 to 18; the UPI launch and several handovers took place on Thursday.
- Where
- Thimphu, Mongar, Gasa, Samdrup Jongkhar, and Bumthang in Bhutan.
- Why
- To strengthen India-Bhutan friendship and cooperation and support Bhutan’s development priorities.
- UPI expansion
- The second phase enables Bhutanese citizens visiting India to make digital payments using UPI.
- Two-way connectivity
- Together with UPI’s existing use in Bhutan, the initiative creates two-way UPI-based payment connectivity.
- Electric vehicles
- India handed over 54 Made in India electric vehicles; 45 had also been handed over in July, and 45 EV buses are planned.
- Jersey cows
- India provided 43 purebred Jersey cows for Bhutan’s dairy cattle breeding program, which officials said could benefit 40,000 farmers.
- Health project
- Jaishankar inaugurated the 65-bed Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital in Mongar.
- Energy project
- He laid the foundation stone for the 500 KW Lunana Hydropower Project in Gasa.
- Other cooperation
- The visit included the Jaganathan Bridge inauguration and an MoU exchange on the Nehru-Wangchuck Scholarship.
