GELEPHU MINDFULNESS CITY AND BEYOND: INDIA BHUTAN ECONOMIC SYNERGY IN 2025.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53555/43xrdy94Keywords:
Gelephu Mindfulness City, India–Bhutan Relations, Economic Synergy, Connectivity, Sustainable DevelopmentAbstract
The Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) Project of Bhutan is an innovative urban developmental project. It symbolises a transformative moment in Bhutan’s development trajectory and the broader India–Bhutan partnership. Visualised by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the proposed 1,000 sq. km ambitious city project is in the Sarpang district of southern Bhutan. GMC aims to diversify Bhutan’s economy beyond hydropower while preserving its cultural and ecological integrity.
For India, the project provides an opportunity to increase economic synergy through connectivity, digital integration, energy cooperation, and human capital development. This project intends to bring better connectivity through the Kokrajhar - Gelephu rail link, improved cross-border trade, expansion of India’s UPI and RuPay payment systems, and collaboration in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure. Beyond Gelephu, this initiative also reflects a wider convergence in trade, tourism, digital economy, and regional connectivity under India’s Act East Policy.
This paper highlights that GMC is not just an urban development plan but a symbol of people-centric, mindfulness and sustainability. It focuses on how India and Bhutan jointly craft a model of growth that balances prosperity with cultural values and ecological stewardship.
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