On 5 January 2022, Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India, spoke with Lyonpo Dr. Tandi Dorji, Foreign Minister of Bhutan on telephone. They exchanged New Year greetings and assessed the continuing progress in the bilateral development partnership.

During his visit to India on 10-11 January 2022, Lyonpo Loknath Sharma, Economic Affairs Minister of Bhutan met with Shri Piyush Goyal, Commerce & Industry Minister. They discussed ways to further strengthen economic ties and enhance India's role as Bhutan's development partner especially in nurturing a robust start-up ecosystem.

Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Foreign Secretary of India, called on Lyonpo Loknath Sharma, Economic Affairs Minister of Bhutan, in New Delhi on 10 January 2022. They discussed economic cooperation with special focus on the hydropower sector.

PM Dr. Lotay Tshering sent best wishes to the people of India on behalf of the people of Bhutan. He said that the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan rejoices with India in heart and spirit, and that both countries will continue to write many stories of success and happiness together.

Thanking Prime Minister Dr. Lotay Tshering for his greetings on Republic Day, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said that India deeply values its unique and enduring friendship with Bhutan.

The 73rd Republic Day of India on 26 January 2022 was celebrated at the India House Estate, Thimphu. Ambassador of India Ruchira Kamboj hoisted the National Flag and read out the Hon’ble President’s Address to the Nation.

Foreign Minister Lyonpo Dr. Tandi Dorji wished greater peace, progress and prosperity to the People of India on its 73rd Republic Day. Economic Affairs Minister, Lyonpo Loknath Sharma and Finance Minister, Lyonpo Namgay Tshering also sent their greetings on Twitter!

Underlining the multi-faceted ties between the two countries, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj spoke of India's cutting-edge initiatives in Bhutan such as BHIM, RuPAY, NKN-DrukREN, E-library and STEM scholarships. Highlighting the bilateral development cooperation, She said that both countries continue to exemplify our special Theunlam, everyday.

On the eve of the 73rd Republic Day of India, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj interacted with members of the Indian community and thanked them for their contribution in strengthening the India-Bhutan friendship. The Ambassador briefed them about the latest developments in India including Government of India’s latest policy initiatives.

Government of India is honoured to support the construction of the Dzong which is built at a cost of Nu. 530 million. The newly constructed Pemagatshel Dzong is a harmonious blend of traditional architecture with modern construction technologies. The Dzong will house the offices of District administration, revenue officials and the monk body of Pemagatshel.

The Valedictory Session of the e-ITEC training programme held on 21 January 2022 for judicial officers of Bhutan was attended by Judge Pema Needup- Director General of the Bhutan National Legal Institute, Judge Gembo Dorji- Registrar General of the Supreme Court of Bhutan, and officials of Government of India. The virtual training course conducted by National Law University, Jodhpur was customized to suit the needs of the Bhutan’s judicial officers. More than 50 judges serving in Bhutan’s High Court, District courts, and Sub-District courts across 12 Dzongkhags participated in the programme.

Bhutanese entrepreneurs participated in the final Roundtable session of the bespoke IGNITE startup mentorship program for Bhutanese startups and entrepreneurs held on 5 January 2022. The Roundtable was titled “Igniting Innovation: Connecting the Startup Ecosystems of India and Bhutan” with four co-panelists from India and Bhutan - Mr. Raman Roy, CMD of Quatrro BPO Solutions; Mr. Aditya Berlia, Co-Founder & Pro-Chancellor, Apeejay Stya University; Dr. Tshering Cigay Dorji, CEO of Thimphu TechPark Limited; and Mr. Rikesh Gurung, Founder and MD of The Green Road.

The Indian Embassy organised the IGNITE programme in collaboration with Invest India & Startup India with TiE Delhi-NCR as the knowledge partner, from October 2021 to January 2022.

In collaboration with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, a Foundation-level course in Hindi language is being conducted by the Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, Wardha for Bhutanese diplomats and officials. The online Hindi course commenced on 31 January 2022 for 14 officers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, out of which 7 are posted at the Royal Bhutanese Consulate General, Guwahati and Royal Bhutanese Consulate General, Kolkata

Bhutanese youth were invited to apply for the St. Stephen’s Young Leaders Neighbourhood-First Fellowship (YNLF), a joint initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs and St. Stephen’s College. Delhi. A few young professionals from Bhutan will secure the unique opportunity to undertake this Fellowship Programme along with their peers from Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka through this Fellowship Programme. The YNLF Fellowship, is a 3-month long residential structured programme with Public Policy and Administration as the primary thrust areas is being curated by the St Stephen’s Centre for Advanced Learning and is fully-funded by the Ministry of External Affairs.

STEM education opportunities are available for Bhutanese students with 20 scholarships being offered every year by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations to pursue B.E./B.Tech undergraduate engineering courses in India. The online application to apply for admission and scholarship in top Indian engineering and technological institutions will go live soon at the ICCR portal: http://a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in.

The World Hindi Day was celebrated at the India House on 10 January 2022 with our Bhutanese friends and Indian teachers. Messages from the Prime Minister of India and External Affairs Minister on Vishwa Hindi Diwas were shared with the audience. "Mera Vidyanandaalay", the Hindi translation of 'My Green School', a book by former Education Minister Thakur S Powdyel was also launched in Bhutan on this occasion.

The National Youth Day was held on 12 January 2022 to commemorate the Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. In collaboration with the Bhutan Archery Federation, Embassy officials and Indian teachers celebrated the occasion by practising Bhutan's favourite community sport - Archery!

A kite flying festival was organised at the India House Estate to celebrate Makar Sankranti. Indian Teachers joined children and residents of the India House Estate in showcasing their kite flying skills on the auspicious Solar festival. Rangoli designs in vibrant colours made by our Bhutanese friends and Indian teachers were part of the Makar Sankranti celebrations.

On the solemn occasion of the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on 30 January, officers of the Embassy of India paid their respects to the Father of the Nation and recalled the sacrifice of selfless freedom fighters in India's struggle for Independence.

A talk on ‘Satyagraha and the Path to Global Peace by renowned Gandhian Scholar Dr. Shobhana Radhakrishna, was also livestreamed by the Embassy of India on its Facebook Page on 30 January 2022 to commemorate Martyrs' Day.

Several Bhutanese friends and Yoga practitioners have joined the #SuryaNamaskar global initiative as 7.5 million people come together to perform the healing Yoga Asana in different countries. Take a look at a live group session of 'Suryanamaskar' performed on 14 January 2022.

Ahead of the #PravasiBharatiyaDiwas 2022, the Embassy started a new series of memoirs of Indian Teachers in Bhutan, the true Pravasis in the land of Drukyul on its social media handles.

The President of India in his address thanked the doctors, nurses and paramedics for making COVID - 19 vaccination a mass movement. He noted that India has found a place among top 50 innovative economies and lauded young entrepreneurs for making effective use of the start up ecosystem. He also praised the dedication of India's Armed Forces in bolstering India's Defence Capabilities and remembered one of the bravest commanders of the country - General Bipin Rawat.

The parade showcased India's military prowess and cultural diversity. A flypast by 75 aircraft and helicopters to commemorate 75 years of India's Independence was the highlight of the Parade.

On 23rd January 2022, India celebrated the 125th Birth Anniversary of renowned freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Prime Minister Modi said that every Indian is proud of his monumental contribution to our nation. Since 2021, Netaji's Birth anniversary is being celebrated as "Parakram Diwas". From 2023, onwards India's Republic Day celebrations will start from his birth anniversary.

Closing the celebrations of India's 73rd Republic Day on 29 January 2022, the marching bands of Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and other Police forces played poignant tunes. A key highlight of this year's ceremony was a Drone show comprising 1000 'Made-in-India' drones.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi paid his tributes to 'Punjab Kesari' Lala Lajpat Rai on his 157th birth anniversary on 28 January 2022. He said that the story of his courage, struggle and sacrifice during the freedom struggle will forever be remembered by the fellow countrymen.

India's start-up sector received investments of over USD 24 billion in 2021. In terms of tech start-ups, India has the 3rd largest base globally! On the occasion of Start-Up Day, celebrated each year on 16 January, Prime Minister Modi said that he is proud of India's start-up sector- which has created millions of jobs in India since 2014.