🇮🇳🇧🇹 Session 2 | Building Resilience with Collaborations in the Educational Services The session explored opportunities to strengthen India–Bhutan educational cooperation through institutional partnerships, student exchanges, skill development, joint research and scholarships, with an emphasis on aligning education with emerging workforce needs. 🔹 Dasho Tashi Pem, Chairperson, Royal Civil Service Commission (Chair) — Emphasised knowledge sharing, student exchanges and joint degree programmes to deepen educational collaboration. 🔹 Dr. Asmita Dani, Dean – Academics and Head – Global Engagement & Partnerships (South Asia & ASEAN), Symbiosis International University — Highlighted outcome-based education, skills development and the need to address brain drain through stronger educational opportunities. 🔹 Mr. Palden Tshering, Chairman, Association of Bhutanese Education Consultancies — Underscored the importance of people-to-people connections, particularly through Bhutanese students studying in India, in building lasting bilateral ties. 🔹 Mr. Phub Rinzin, Director General, Department of Workforce Planning and Skills Development, Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD), Bhutan — Emphasised industry-relevant skills, joint certifications, credit transfers and partnerships with technical institutions, particularly in emerging sectors such as AI, IT, healthcare and green energy. 🔹 Dr. Phuntsho Wangdi, President, Paro College of Education — Focused on strengthening higher education through curriculum reform, research collaboration, scholarships and AI-resilient education systems aligned with national priorities. 🔹 Dr. Pranshu Samdarshi, Associate Professor, Nalanda University — Reflected on the relevance of traditional Indian educational systems and the role of people-to-people connectivity in fostering educational ties. 🔹 Mr. Sabyasachi Dutta, Executive Director, Asian Confluence — Highlighted India’s contribution to Bhutan’s educational development through scholarships, teacher recruitment and professional training programmes, including expanded scholarship opportunities and institutional partnerships. #ASCON #IndiaBhutan #Education #SkillDevelopment #RegionalCooperation @sherig_skills @nalanda_univ

🇮🇳🇧🇹 Session 1 | Building the Trade Relationship on Physical Connectivity Session 1 explored opportunities to strengthen India–Bhutan trade through improved physical connectivity, trade facilitation, investment and regional cooperation, while addressing logistical challenges and promoting sustainable development. 🔹 Amb. Jaideep Mazumdar, Former Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, and Member, Governing Council, Asian Confluence (Chair) — Highlighted the importance of connectivity, trade facilitation and land ports, including Jogighopa’s multimodal infrastructure in improving Bhutan’s access to India and Bangladesh. 🔹 Mr. Ambarish Dasgupta, President, Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Founder, Intueri Consulting — Focused on trade logistics, financing, payment system integration and potential collaboration between Gelephu Mindfulness City and GIFT City. 🔹 Dr. Medha Bisht, Associate Professor, South Asian University — Examined the transformative role of connectivity projects, the need for stronger local coordination and ecologically sustainable development. 🔹 Ms. Neha Yadav, First Secretary – Trade and Commerce, Embassy of India in Bhutan — Highlighted bilateral trade frameworks, including agreements on railway links and food safety standards, that facilitate trade between the two countries. 🔹 Mr. Sonam Tshering Dorji, Director, Department of Trade, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE), Bhutan — Emphasised trade diversification and promoting value-added Bhutanese products, particularly in Northeast India. 🔹 Mr. Thinley Dorji, General Secretary, Bhutan India Friendship Association – Phuntsholing Chapter — Highlighted the importance of people-to-people connections and value-added trade in strengthening bilateral economic ties. 🔹 Mr. Ugyen Namgyal, Director, Druk Green Power Corporation Limited — Discussed hydropower cooperation, the Chukha Hydropower Project as a model of India–Bhutan partnership, transmission connectivity and emerging public-private partnership opportunities. #ASCON #IndiaBhutan #TradeConnectivity #RegionalCooperation #EconomicPartnership @JaideepMazumder @SouthAsianUni