In follow up to the recent historic visit of His Majesty, 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 program organized by Asian Confluence, the premier Indian think tank headquartered in Shillong. The program organized in partnership with 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 Hon’ble Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma in the presence of Tourism, Minister Mr. Paul Lyngdoh, Joint Secretary (North) Ministry of External Affairs Shri Anurag Srivastava and H.E. Shri. Jigme Thinley Namgyal, Consul General of Bhutan Consulate in Guwahati along with Dr Ravi Kota Additional Chief Secretary in government of Assam 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 region.

To learn more about the governance of the state of Meghalaya the delegation had a briefing and interaction with Pymiad Sing Syiem, Chief Executive member of at the KHADC. The delegation paid field visits and engaged in-depth roundtable discussions on 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 Northeast India.

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 return delegation from Meghalaya is also expected to visit Bhutan in early 2024.