As a follow up to the recent historic visit of the King of Bhutan to Assam, a twelve-member Bhutanese delegation from Centre for Bhutan Studies, Thimphu concluded a visit to Meghalaya with a four-day India Bhutan Exchange programme organised by Asian Confluence, a premier Indian think tank headquartered in Shillong recently.
The programme was organised in partnership with the Center for Bhutan Studies, Thimpu and supported by Meghalaya Tourism Department, Indian Embassy in Bhutan, and Meghalaya Institute of Governance.
The pioneering initiative was flagged off by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma recently in the presence of Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh, Joint Secretary (North) Ministry of External Affairs Anurag Srivastava and Consul General of Bhutan Consulate in Guwahati Jigme Thinley Namgyal at an inaugural session at Asian Confluence Center that witnessed a vibrant and in depth dialogue on bilateral trade, connectivity and Bhutan-India strategic partnership in the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) region.
To learn more about the governance of Meghalaya, the Bhutanese delegation had a briefing and interaction with KHADC Chief Executive Member Pyniaid Sing Syiem at the KHADC.
The delegation paid field visits and engaged in-depth roundtable discussions on a diverse array of livewire issues covering sustainable urban development, climate change, natural resource management, women’s roles in rural tourism, and economic connectivity between Bhutan and Meghalaya.
Later the delegation held conversations with the local community at the Sacred Groves in Mawphlang and engaged in discussions with community leaders at Kyiem IVCS.
Ideas were exchanged on forest conservation, natural resource management, and more.
The delegation also experienced the rich Khasi tradition at the Seng Kut Snem festival and the unique culture of the Whistling Village of Kongthong, appreciating how the local communities preserve their traditions in Meghalaya.
A delegation from Meghalaya is also expected to visit Bhutan in early 2024.
