External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on August 07, that India and Bhutan are considering building a rail-link between Bhutan and Assam. The minister also cited the rail-link’s potential to increase the tourism potential of both places.
“We are in talks on the Rail link between Bhutan and Assam, Bhutan is very keen to open more points for tourists and it is very good for Assam,” Jaishankar said.
It will be the first-ever railway connection between India and Bhutan and is expected to be completed by 2026. The Indian government will fund the 57-kilometre railway.
Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra met visiting Bhutanese Foreign Secretary Pema Choden on July 30 and conveyed India’s commitment to partner with Bhutan based on the priorities of the neighbouring Himalayan nation.