Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi along with his Bhutanese counterpart Lotay Tshering on Friday launched RuPay card Phase-II that will allow Bhutanese card holders to access the RuPay network in India.
PM Modi said that RuPay cards issued by the Bhutan National Bank can be used at ATMs for ₹1 lakh and for ₹20 lakh at point-of-sale terminals.
“This would make tourism, shopping and other transactions easier for Bhutanese tourists in India,” he said, adding, “I’m happy to know that there have been 11,000 successful Rupay transactions in Bhutan already. Had Covid not happened, this number would have been much higher.”
PM Modi also spoke about a framework signed by both the countries for peaceful usage of space. “Recently, India and Bhutan signed a framework for Peaceful Usage of Outer Space. This will help institutions in both countries and improve cooperation. India has recently opened its space sector for private enterprises. This will promote capacity, innovation and skills,” PM Modi said. During the launch, PM Modi also welcomed Bhutan’s agreement with BSNL on the Third International Internet Gateway.
