• UGI USER
  • Mar 15, 2024
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BHUTAN’S OPENING MOVE, ITS GELEPHU GAMBIT

Why in the news?

Bhutan’s Gelephu project aims to establish a regional hub. It seeks Indian support amid strategic and economic considerations.

source:dics

About Strategic Regional Hub:

  • Bhutan’s proposal for a regional economic hub at Gelephu, bordering Assam in India, seeks to establish a “Gelephu Mindfulness City” (GMC) across 1,000 square kilometres.
  • Initiated by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the plan aims to attract investments and promote health and wellness, diverging from traditional financial hubs like Dubai.
  • Gelephu’s strategic location aligns with India’s “Act East” policy, facilitating connectivity to Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region.
Key Highlights of  Gelephu smart city project :

●   Economic corridor linking South Asia to Southeast Asia.

●   Focus on environmental standards and sustainability.

●   Attracting quality investment from international companies.

●   Emphasis on zero-emission industries and tourism.

●   Significant transformation for Bhutan and South Asia.

●   Agreement on India-Bhutan railway line.

●   Connectivity to Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Singapore

Key Facts related to Bhutan:

●   Located between India and Tibet, landlocked.

●   Capital: Thimphu.

●   Transitioned to democracy in 2008.

●   The King is the Head of State.

●   Main rivers: Torsa, Wong, Sankosh, and Manas.

●   Longest river: Manas, flowing into India.

●   Constitutional monarchy.