India and Bhutan Discuss Climate Change and Sustainability

A delegation from Bhutan, led by Gem Tshering, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, met with Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in Delhi. They discussed important issues like air quality, climate change, forests, natural resources, wildlife, and renewable energy.

Singh thanked Tshering for Bhutan’s participation in the International Big Cat Alliance and emphasized the shared geography, ecosystem, and democratic values of both countries. He noted that climate change is a common concern for India and Bhutan.

Tshering mentioned Bhutan’s successful hosting of the Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscape Conference in April 2024 and highlighted Bhutan’s carbon-negative status and reliance on hydropower. Both countries agreed to collaborate on combating climate change, improving air quality, managing forests and wildlife, and building capacity in environmental and climate change fields. India suggested holding a Joint Working Group Meeting.

BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat

On the same day, the BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers’ Retreat concluded. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that the discussions among the ministers from India, Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka covered a wide range of collaborative efforts. He thanked the ministers for their participation and emphasized the productive nature of the retreat.