HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, June 10: An eleven-member delegation from Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City Project on Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at his office in Lok Sewa Bhawan, further cementing the long-standing ties between Assam and the Kingdom of Bhutan, according to an official statement.
The delegation forms part of an ongoing fact-finding tour covering key regions in Assam and Meghalaya, aimed at fostering collaboration on sustainable urban development initiatives.
The visiting team was led by Dasho Arun Kapur, convener of the project’s Core Working Group, and included several distinguished figures: former Chief Justice of Bhutan Dasho Tshering Wangchuk; Member of the National Council and Member of Parliament Dasho Tashi Wangyal; and other senior members of the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) Core Working Group.
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Representing the Royal Bhutanese Consulate General in Guwahati were Consul General Jigme Thinlye Namgyal and Consul Phurpa Tshering, who joined the conversation on diplomatic facilitation and logistical coordination.
Chief Minister Sarma extended a warm welcome to the Bhutanese delegation, expressing his appreciation for their visit and underscoring Assam’s enthusiasm to support the Gelephu Mindfulness City Project.
“This initiative offers a unique opportunity to deepen institutional collaboration and enhance people-to-people connections between our regions,” Sarma said.
He noted that the Government of Assam shares the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for strengthening regional partnerships and is fully committed to providing the necessary administrative and infrastructural support.
Highlighting the project’s scope, Sarma remarked on its potential to benefit the youth of both Assam and Bhutan through a range of programmes in education, skill development, entrepreneurship and cultural exchange.
He invited the delegates to visit premier institutions in the state—including universities, technical institutes and medical centres—to identify best practices and potential models for replication in Gelephu.
Additionally, he encouraged exploration of state-run facilities that could partner with the GMC in areas such as waste management, renewable energy and urban planning.
Reflecting on shared history, the Chief Minister recalled the landmark 2008 visit of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck to Assam, describing it as a milestone in bilateral relations.
He also expressed his personal aspiration to welcome the entire Bhutanese royal family to the state in future engagements.
Looking ahead, Sarma announced plans to convene a broader, multi-sectoral meeting during the Core Working Group’s next visit, bringing together stakeholders from government, academia, industry and civil society to ensure a holistic and inclusive approach to the project’s development.
The meeting was attended by special chief secretary Syedain Abbasi; principal secretary to the chief minister K K Dwivedi; vice-chancellor of Gauhati University Dr Nani Gopal Mahanta; and senior officials from the line departments of urban development, education, health and finance.
The delegation’s itinerary in Assam will also include visits to key industrial corridors and cultural heritage sites, underscoring the region’s readiness for collaboration on the Gelephu Mindfulness City vision.
Concluding the session, both sides reiterated their shared commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and achieving the project’s objectives through sustained dialogue and coordinated action.
The exchange closed on a positive note, with Chief Minister Sarma and the Bhutanese delegation reaffirming their determination to work hand in hand toward building a model city that embodies the principles of mindfulness, sustainability and regional integration.
