You are here for the AI impact summit in India, and Bhutan is a guest like so many others. But at the end of the day, it’s clear that the AI industry today is dominated by two countries, only US and China. Is there a space for other countries to have a voice?

1.4 billion Indians under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I dare say, is more than a space. I know that India has the ambition and the mettle to pull it off and lead [the sector] too.

It isn’t just about India but other countries as well. Switzerland will be the next host of the AI Impact Summit, and Bhutan, presumably, in the future, can be the host. But can all the other countries that haven’t developed AI models yet going to be able to play catch up? The rules are already being set by the two big hegemons…

Therefore, all the more reason for India to work harder, faster, and lead the pack, really.

How does Bhutan see AI? Is it a is it seen as a tool?

I hope that AI remains a tool. I hope the big powers, US, China and India will ensure that it is a tool, a good tool, an efficient tool, a tool like no other. But I hope it remains a tool. In the wrong hands, this tool could become something more or be misused. So we need ethics, we need values. We need regulation. We need oversight. We need, as prime minister, Modi announced transparency, when he said he wants a glass box, not a black box.

Are you hopeful of new synergies between India and Bhutan when it comes to AI, especially as creating AI requires a lot of electricity?

Yes and the development cooperation between India and Bhutan has been most successful in just this area. It has been successful in a wide range of areas, of course but most successful in harnessing energy that is clean and green from Bhutan’s hydropower. Even as we speak, we are expanding our cooperation there, and we have ambitious targets to develop something like 25 gigawatts in the next 15 years. We are working with the Government of India. We are working with private firms in India, and that energy is going to be used for development of technology in particular. Much of our development of Artificial Intelligence is going to take place in the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), which his Majesty the King (Fifth King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck), has established as a special administrative region along the border with India. So, yes, we can do a lot together.

It has been two years since the [Bhutanese] King announced a plan for Gelephu.  How has it progressed? There is an airport now…

Gelephu always had an airport, but it was a domestic airport. That domestic airport is now operating international flights to India, and an international airport is being built. For that airport, the conceptual drawings based on His Majesty’s vision has been already completed by a world famous architect and his company. Gelephu mindfulness city, is going to be a hub for Vajrayana Buddhism, and many monasteries and universities and meditation centres, retreat centres  will be being built, and a lot of the infrastructure is coming up already. The old town is getting a facelift and will be upgraded to provide space that’s required to function. More importantly, the soft component, all the laws are in place. GMC has its own board and authority, own government structure, and so it’s already in operation. Many businesses have expressed interest. Tata Consultancy has an office in GMC, Tata Power is doing a lot of work, Adani power is doing a lot of work in developing energy, but also has a base in Gelephu. And we have many “founding members” for GMC (these include Gautam Adani), and we’re hopeful that we will get even more founding members from India.

During the covid pandemic, Bhutan was seen as crypto power. Do you see a space for more outsourcing, high tech, artificial intelligence, quantum computing in GMC?

Look, at GMC we have stability. We have proximity to India. We have a good friendship with India. We have Prime Minister Modi’s personal support for the Gelephu Mindfulness City . We have access to huge amounts of energy that is clean and green. We have an area that is clean and sustainable and liveable, and therefore we can do a lot together in this, in the technological space.

Even so, the GMC was set up with one big ambition, to bring jobs for Bhutanese, especially the youth. India too has this large population and manpower. How do you deal with the concern that Artificial Intelligence is going to take away jobs and not produce more?

Well, the obvious answer to that is to work even more on artificial intelligence. Jokes aside, there will be jobs, higher end jobs. As long as tools will remain as tools, you need people to handle the tools. Should the day arrive that tools don’t need human masters, we are in trouble, and this is the whole debate that’s going on. If artificial intelligence can replace people en masse, then we’ve reached a very dangerous tipping point.

Is building a global institution for governance a solution?

Every leader at the AI Summit has expressed a need for guardrails. They have all expressed a need for ethics and values and transparency and equity, also in terms of enjoying the benefits of AI. And every leader I’ve heard has expressed concerns about the lack of moderation, regulation, of oversight. So if political leaders are so concerned and they apply action to their concerns, then we should be able to moderate how AI is developed. I believe India is poised to provide that leadership in terms of moderation, because India is the seat of the world’s most ancient wisdom, ancient civilizations. If we ignore ancient wisdom, however, then I think this technology can get out of hand.

Thimphu:

Bhutan, considered one of the happiest countries in the world, is working on a mega project, one that has to potential to redefine not just how sustainable living can be achieved, but become a global model unlike any other in the world today. The project – a mega ‘Mindfulness City’ in Gelephu.

Though it is called a city, it is massive – spread over 2,500 square kilometers. It is a Special Administratve Region (SAR). It will have its own government and have the independence to have its own lawmaking, as well as an independent judiciary. But what makes it special?

Photo Credit: big.dk

The Gelephu ‘Mindfulness City’ will have two protected areas – a national park and a wildlife sanctuary. It will have rivers that will have the potential to generate 4,000 to 5,000 megawatts of electricity through renewable energy. It has forests, biological corridors and is teeming with wildlife. It has its own agricultural hubs and small towns.

Photo Credit: big.dk

The ‘Mindfulness City’ project has been envisioned by the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. The motivation behind this is to improve the lives of Bhutanese people and take Bhutan to the next level. A place where people can live with harmony with others from all over the world.

People in this city will live with nature and the biodiversity of the region. “This is what we call ‘Gross National Happiness 2.0’,” Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay said recently at the NDTV World Summit in New Delhi.

Photo Credit: big.dk

Speaking exclusively to NDTV World, the Bhutanese PM had said that the ‘Gelephu mindfulness city’ would “directly benefit India” in many ways since this city has been “purposely placed along the border with India in Assam.”

Photo Credit: big.dk

‘MINDFULNESS CITY’ – BUT WHY IN GELEPHU?

The land in Gelephu is “beautiful and pristine”, said the Butanese Prime Minister, adding that the region is a biological hot spot, with abundant potential for clean energy, but why this mega project here? he had asked the King, wondering why such a project was not being considered for Thimphu or Paro – where there is ready infrastructure, like airports, highways, etc.

Photo Credit: big.dk

The King had a one-word reply for the prime minister – “India”. He then explained that “Our future is linked with India. If we chose any other place, then such a project may succeed, it may have its challenges, but if we plan this along the border with India, the concept itself will drive it to success, because Bhutan’s future is intrinsically linked with India,” the prime minister recalled the King having said this.

Photo Credit: big.dk

Then I finally understood the strategic significance of the project, he said. “The Gelephu Mindfulness City is not about Bhutan – it is about Bhutan and India.

DETAILS ABOUT THE CITY

Once built, Bhutan’s ‘Mindfulness City’ will cover nearly 2.5% of the entire country’s landmass and will be bigger than all of Singapore. A more local comparison will be to Bhutan’s capital city, Thimphu. While Gelephu City will be more than 2,500 square kilometers, capital city Thimphu is just 26 square kilometers.

Photo Credit: big.dk

The city will be built around a series of inhabitable bridges. It is expected to be a low-rise city which will have its own university, health care facilities for both western and traditional medicine. It will also have several markets and spiritual centres.

Photo Credit: big.dk

There are also plans to build a hydroelectric power project and a hydroponic greenhouse.

It will be spread over 11 major neighbourhoods which will span across the region’s thirty-five rivers and streams. The city design and planning is done such that neighbourhoods will be like mandalas, with public spaces towards the city centre.

Photo Credit: big.dk

The city will be entirely based on Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness philosophy which has been praised the world over. At the time of the announcement of the project, the Kingdom of Bhutan had said that “Mindfulness City will be unique as it would not just prioritise economic development, but will focus on personal well-being of every resident.”

Photo Credit: big.dk

The city will have its own international airport – construction for which has already begin.

The Gelephu ‘Mindfullness City’ rethinks how the cities of the future should be like, how they should function and the ways in which sustainable living can be achieved with an environment-friendly approach.
 

Watch | Gelephu megacity dreams | Bhutan PM interview | Worldview

This week we are looking at Bhutan, India’s smallest and most reclusive neighbour, that rarely gets spoken about.

But now, with an announcement made in December by the Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is hoping to make a big splash, with the creation of the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) to its south bordering Assam.

The plan for Gelephu includes:

Developing about 2,000 square kms of Bhutanese territory as a carbon-negative Special Administrative Region, attracting investors and service industry giants to set up there. A Danish firm has already been chosen and is working on plans for buildings, bridges, markets and a dam.

Building a new airport to replace the existing airstrip- this is one of the most cost-intensive projects, and Indian officials have already visited for feasibility studies.

Special facilities to bring in IT companies, health, hospitality, educations sectors in particular.

Investment in infrastructure and connectivity – India has already committed to a rail line right up to Gelephu, a ₹1,000 crore project, transit trade, border checkpoint facilities for trade and upgrading roads to the North East and Bangladesh, the trination highway. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced a doubling of Bhutan’s outlay for the next 5 year plan, from ₹5,000 crore to 10,000, of which about ₹1,500 crore is part of an economic stimulus plan for Bhutan.

The plan for Gelephu as a megacity is not new. Many countries have such plans, like Saudi Arabia’s NEOM; Indonesia’s Nusantara; Egypt’s New Administrative Capital; India had the ambitious Amravati project which was shelved; Pakistan has Gwadar Port and City- built by China; Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port project, which has now been leased to China due to financial losses.

We spoke to Bhutan’s PM Tshering Tobgay, and asked him how feasible this plan for Gelephu is, and how to avoid the pitfalls of becoming a white elephant.

Script and presentation: Suhasini Haidar

Production: Shibu Narayan

Thimphu:

Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for visiting Bhutan despite his busy schedule. He called it “Modi Ka Guarantee” as PM Modi fulfilled his promise to visit Bhutan.

In a post on X, Mr Tobgay stated, “A big thank you to my brother, PM @narendramodi Ji, for visiting us. Neither his busy schedule nor inclement weather could prevent him from fulfilling his promise to visit us. This must be the #ModiKaGuarantee phenomenon!”

A big thank you to my brother, PM @narendramodi Ji, for visiting us. Neither his busy schedule nor inclement weather could prevent him from fulfilling his promise to visit us. This must be the #ModiKaGuarantee phenomenon! pic.twitter.com/mXkD5a4MUU

— Tshering Tobgay (@tsheringtobgay) March 23, 2024

Mr Tobgay’s remarks came as PM Modi concluded his two-day state visit to Bhutan on Saturday.

During the visit, PM Modi was conferred with the ‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo’, Bhutan’s highest civilian honour, which he dedicated it to the 140 crore people of India. He affirmed hope that the relationship between New Delhi and Thimphu will keep growing, thus benefitting the citizens of the two nations.

“It is with great humility that I accept the Order of the Druk Gyalpo. I am grateful to HM the King of Bhutan for presenting the Award. I dedicate it to the 140 crore people of India. I am also confident that India-Bhutan relations will keep growing and benefit our citizens,” PM Modi posted on X.

PM Modi became the first foreign dignitary and only the fourth person overall to receive the honour. As per ranking and precedence established, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo was instituted as the decoration for lifetime achievement and is the pinnacle of the honour system in Bhutan, taking precedence over all orders, decorations and medals.

PM Modi emplaned for New Delhi on Saturday morning. In a special gesture, the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Bhutanese PM Tshering Tobgay came to see off PM Modi at the airport.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck for the special gesture.

In a post on X, PM Modi stated, “I am honoured by the special gesture by His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of coming to the airport as I leave for Delhi. This has been a very special Bhutan visit. I had the opportunity to meet His Majesty the King, PM @tsheringtobgay and other distinguished people of Bhutan.”

“Our talks will add even more vigour to the India-Bhutan friendship. I am also grateful to have been conferred the Order of the Druk Gyalpo. I am very thankful to the wonderful people of Bhutan for their warmth and hospitality. India will always be a reliable friend and partner for Bhutan,” he added.

PM Modi on Saturday inaugurated Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck Mother and Child Hospital along with his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay.

Tobgay expressed his gratitude towards the Indian government for fully funding the construction of the state-of-the-art hospital.

During his visit, PM Modi called on Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at the Tashichho Dzong Palace in Thimphu. During the meeting, the two sides renewed their commitment to the special and unique ties shared by India and Bhutan.

PM Modi and Bhutan PM Tobgay reviewed all aspects of bilateral energy cooperation and, welcomed the expert-level discussions on the 1200 MW Punatsangchhu-I Hydro-electric Project, adding that they look forward to the commissioning of the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydro-electric Project later this year.

The two leaders agreed that the India-Bhutan energy partnership has the potential to benefit both countries by enhancing energy security, strengthening their economies, generating employment, enhancing export earnings, and contributing to the further development of industrial and financial capacities.

PM Modi announced a substantial assistance package of Rs 10,000 crore for Bhutan’s 13th five-year plan, further solidifying the bond between the two countries.

In his address at Tendrelthang Festival Ground in Thimphu, PM Modi said, “We will work on new possibilities in connectivity, infrastructure, trade and energy sector between India and Bhutan. There should be a new airport for better air connectivity, new rail links between Gelephu to Kokrajhar, Samtse to Banarhat, operation of waterways through Brahmaputra, we will soon see these completed rapidly. Integrated Check Posts will also be built to further strengthen the trade infrastructure.”

“As always, there will be our full cooperation and support for the Thirteenth Five Year Plan of the Government of Bhutan. I would also like to announce to my brothers and sisters of Bhutan that the Government of India will provide a support of Rs 10,000 crore in this direction in the next five years,” he added.

PM Modi was scheduled to visit Bhutan on March 21 and 22 and it was mutually decided to postpone the visit due to inclement weather conditions over Paro airport.

“Due to ongoing inclement weather conditions over Paro airport, it has been mutually decided to postpone the State visit of Prime Minister to Bhutan on 21-22 March 2024,” the MEA said in a release on March 20.

PM Modi’s visit to Bhutan came amid electioneering by for the Lok Sabha elections. The Election Commission earlier this month announced the dates for Lok Sabha polls.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Thimphu:

India and Bhutan today exchanged several strategic MoUs and signed agreements in the fields of energy, trade, digital connectivity, space and agriculture, and finalised the MoU on the establishment of rail links between the two nations.

The MoUs were exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay during the ongoing two-day State visit of PM Modi.

Prime Minister Modi met his Bhutanese counterpart in Thimphu “over a working lunch hosted in his honour”.

He thanked Prime Minister Tobgay for the “exceptional public welcome accorded to him, with people greeting him all along the journey from Paro to Thimphu,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs said here in a statement.

The two leaders held discussions on various aspects of the multi-faceted bilateral relations and “forged an understanding to further enhance cooperation in sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, youth exchange, environment and forestry, and tourism,” it said.

India and Bhutan enjoy long-standing and exceptional ties characterised by utmost trust, goodwill, and mutual understanding at all levels, the MEA said.

“Ahead of the meeting, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister of Bhutan witnessed exchange of several MoUs/Agreements on energy, trade, digital connectivity, space, agriculture, and youth connect among others,” the statement said.

In addition, both sides have also “agreed on and initialled the text of the MoU” on the establishment of rail links between India and Bhutan, India’s Ministry of External Affairs here said.

The MoU provides for the establishment of two proposed rail links between India and Bhutan, including the Kokrajhar-Gelephu rail link and Banarhat-Samtse rail link and their implementation modalities, it said.

MoU on general supply of Petroleum, Oil, Lubricants (POL) and related products from India to Bhutan provides for a list of petroleum, oil, lubricants related items.

India would facilitate its supply to Bhutan through agreed entry/exit points, the statement said.

Agreement for recognition of official control exercised by Bhutan Food And Drug Authority (BFDA) by the Food Safety and Standards Authority Of India (FSSAI) will facilitate the trade between India and Bhutan by promoting ease of doing business and reducing compliance costs on both sides.

The MoU will make the export inspection certificate issued by BFDA acceptable by FSSAI for compliance with requirements prescribed by FSSAI while exporting the products to India.

The MoU on cooperation in the field of Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation measures aims to assist Bhutan in enhancing energy efficiency in the household sector by promoting a star labelling programme developed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency.

The MoU covers facilitating the formulation of building codes based on India’s experience, creation of a pool of energy professionals at Bhutan by institutionalising training of energy auditors etc.

The MoU on cooperation in Sports and Youth would help further the people-to-people linkages between India and Bhutan by advancing linkages between sports agencies of both sides and conducting sports activities/programmes.

The MoU on cooperation concerning sharing reference standards, pharmacopoeia, vigilance and testing of medicinal products.

This MoU would help further develop our close cooperation and exchange information in the field of the regulation of medicines under the respective laws and regulations of each side.

The MoU would allow for the acceptance of Indian Pharmacopoeia by Bhutan as a book of standards for medicines and supply of generic medicines at affordable prices.

A Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) on Space Cooperation provides a concrete roadmap for further developing our space cooperation through exchange programmes, training etc.

The Renewal of MoU on Peering Arrangement between National Knowledge Network of India (NKN) and Druk Research And Education Network of Bhutan.

This MoU is between the National Knowledge Network (NKN) of India and the Druk Research and Education Network (DrukREN) of Bhutan to renew the peering agreement between NKN and DrukREN, The MoU will enhance digital connectivity between India and Bhutan and will benefit the scholars and research institutions of Bhutan.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)