In a major step towards strengthening ties, India and Bhutan have agreed to launch their first-ever cross-border railway projects. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced the decision on Monday, September 29, during a press briefing in New Delhi.
The projects will connect Banarhat in West Bengal to Samtse in Bhutan and Kokrajhar in Assam to Gelephu in Bhutan. These new links aim to enhance trade, travel, and regional development.
MoU to Be Signed During Bhutanese Visit
Misri confirmed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for these projects will be signed soon in New Delhi. The signing will take place during the upcoming visit of Bhutan’s Foreign Secretary.
“This will be the first set of rail connectivity projects with Bhutan. The memorandum of understanding for this connectivity was actually signed during the visit of the Prime Minister to Bhutan last year,” Misri said.
He described the India-Bhutan relationship as one of “exceptional trust, mutual respect and understanding,” adding that the partnership is built on deep cultural ties, strong people-to-people connections, and shared developmental and security interests.
Connecting Industrial and Mindfulness Cities
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explained that the two Bhutanese cities to be connected are crucial to the country’s future growth. “One is Gelephu, which is being developed as a mindfulness city. The second is Samtse, an industrial hub,” he said.
According to Vaishnaw, Samtse will be connected to Banarhat, while Gelephu will be linked to Kokrajhar. These links will integrate Bhutan with India’s extensive railway network, improving logistics and boosting economic cooperation.
🇮🇳🤝🏻🇧🇹The Rail Connectivity Projects connect two very important cities of #Bhutan; Gelephu, which is being developed as a mindfulness city and Samtse, which is an industrial city
— PIB India (@PIB_India) September 29, 2025
The two projects will take off from the network of #IndianRailways at Kokrajhar and Banarhat. The… pic.twitter.com/ILiOdFt9s6
Investment and Project Scope
The two railway lines will require an initial investment of Rs 4,033 crore and will cover a total distance of around 90 kilometers.
“The two projects will take off from the Indian railway network at Kokrajhar and Banarhat,” Vaishnaw noted, highlighting the scale and importance of the initiative.
He emphasized that India is Bhutan’s largest trading partner, and these new railway lines will help Bhutan expand its economy by giving its people better access to international markets.
Strengthening Regional Ties
Both countries view these projects as a milestone in bilateral relations. The new rail connections are expected to boost trade, tourism, and cultural exchange while deepening cooperation in security and development. With construction set to begin soon, the projects signal a new chapter in India-Bhutan connectivity and regional growth.