India and Bhutan review bilateral security cooperation, border management

India and Bhutan reviewed border management and security in a meeting held at Thimphu from October 16-17, a statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Thursday (October 23, 2025).

MHA said that the two countries reviewed bilateral security cooperation and border management issues, including mobile signal spill over, future roadmap for Integrated Check Posts, maintenance of boundary pillars and cross-border movement.

Discussions also covered capacity building for Bhutan’s police. Both delegations expressed satisfaction at the cordial and constructive discussions and reiterated their resolve to work together towards ensuring a safe, secure and prosperous border region, MHA said.

This was the 14th India-Bhutan Border Management and Security meeting. The last such meeting was held in the year 2019. The Indian delegation was led by Rajendra Kumar, Secretary, Department of Border Management, MHA, while the Bhutanese side was headed by Sonam Wangyel, Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Indian delegation included officials from the Sashastra Seema Bal, Land Ports Authority of India, Department of Telecommunications, Narcotics Control Bureau, Survey of India, Customs and representatives from Assam, West Bengal, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.

India shares 699 kms border with Bhutan running along the States of Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

“Reaffirming their strong friendship, India and Bhutan committed to deepening cooperation across traditional and emerging areas. Their enduring partnership, rooted in shared geography, culture, and people-to-people ties, continues to serve as a model for regional cooperation,” the MHA said.