Bhutan PM promotes Gelephu Mindfulness City at UNGA

At the United Nations General Assembly, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay promoted the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) project, describing it as a visionary special administrative region designed to create economic opportunities for Bhutanese youth. Tobgay characterized himself as a salesman for the idea, inviting the international community to invest in the development of the city.

The Prime Minister emphasized the strategic importance of the GMC's location on Bhutan’s southern border facing Assam, India. He noted that connectivity with India provides a gateway to South and Southeast Asian markets and confirmed that the project has the support of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India, and the government of Assam.

Designed as an “institutional blank slate,” the GMC aims to integrate global best practices in law and finance while maintaining Bhutanese values. The project focuses on emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and data centers, supported by clean renewable energy. In coordination with the project, a 69-km cross-border rail link connecting Assam to Gelephu is being planned.