The Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, visited New Delhi, India, from 6 to 9 October 2026 to take part in Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue 2026. The Dialogue was convened by the Observer Research Foundation and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India.
Speaking at the ministerial conversation on regional connectivity, transit infrastructure and sustainable transport, Lyonpo shared Bhutan’s perspective as a landlocked country under the theme “From the Mountains to the Sea.” Lyonpo highlighted Bhutan’s efforts to widen its routes to the sea through India and Bangladesh, including the Brahmaputra waterway. Lyonpo also spoke about the Gelephu-Kokrajhar and Samtse-Banarhat railway links with India and Bhutan’s commitment under the BIMSTEC Agreement on Maritime Transport Cooperation. Lyonpo further presented the Gelephu Mindfulness City as Bhutan’s gateway from the mountains to the sea, and called on regional partners to work towards one seamless transport network linking the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal.
On the sidelines of the Dialogue, Lyonpo met H.E. Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, on 8 October 2026. The two Ministers discussed strengthening cooperation in inland water transport and maritime connectivity between Bhutan and India. Their discussions covered the operation of the Jogighopa Inland Waterways Terminal and Multi-Modal Logistics Park. They also discussed the ongoing feasibility study of rivers in Bhutan for development as inland waterways linking to the Brahmaputra and the Bay of Bengal, and capacity building for young Bhutanese professionals in maritime and inland water transport. Minister Sonowal assured the Government of India’s full support, and both Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation
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