New immigration check-post inaugurated on India-Bhutan border in Assam

An immigration check-post has been opened at the India-Bhutan border at Darranga in Assam.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said this was for the entry and exit of nationals of countries travelling between India and Bhutan.

It was inaugurated in the presence of Bhutan Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay. During the visit of the King of Bhutan to India in November 2023, the two sides had agreed to designate Darranga in Assam and Samdrup Jongkhar in Bhutan as immigration check-post.

Earlier, nationals of other countries travelling between India and Bhutan were permitted to enter/exit Bhutan only via Paro International Airport or the Jaigaon-Phuentsholing land border.

Governor of Assam Lakshman Prasad Acharya, who was present at the event, underlined the long-standing ties of friendship between Bhutan and India and recent initiatives for cross-border infrastructure development and enhancing people to people connectivity. He reiterated the Government of India’s commitment to expand the partnership further based on the priorities of the Royal Government of Bhutan.

Bhutanese PM Tobgay welcomed the operationalisation of the immigration check-post at Darranga which, he said, would boost tourism and economic development in eastern Bhutan.

The Minister of State in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, and MoS in the MEA Pabitra Margherita were present during the event.