India-Bhutan's First Integrated Check Post Inaugurated in Assam's Darranga.
National
On November 7, 2024, Lakshman Prasad Acharya, Governor of Assam, inaugurated the first-ever Integrated Check Post (ICP) along the India-Bhutan border at Darranga village in Assam. The facility was developed by the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI).
- This ICP allows entry and exit for third-country nationals via land.
- Prior to this, third-country nationals could only enter or exit Bhutan through Paro International Airport, located in Paro, Bhutan or the Jaigaon-Phuentsholing land route, with Jaigaon in West Bengal, India, and Phuentsholing in southern Bhutan.
- This development follows an agreement made during King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan's visit to India in November 2023, where both nations decided to designate Darranga (Assam) and Samdrup-Jongkhar (Bhutan) as official ICPs for third-country nationals.
Main Points:- (i) The ICP was inaugurated in the presence of Prime Minister (PM) of Bhutan H.E. Lyonchhen Dasho Tshering Tobgay.
(ii) Minister of State (MoS) Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA); MoS, Pabitra Margherita, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA); Dasho Pema Chewang, the Leader of the Opposition of Bhutan, and other elected representatives and senior officials from both countries were present during the event.
(iii) ICP Darranga, covering 14.5 acres, enhances trade and cross-border transit with modern infrastructure, including an office complex, parking, loading zones, a weighbridge, a warehouse, and residential quarters for officials.
About Bhutan
King: HM King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk
Prime Minister: H.E. Lyonchhen Dasho Tshering Tobgay
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