On Thursday, India and Bhutan pledged to further enhance their "exemplary" partnership across all sectors, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing New Delhi’s strong commitment to Bhutan’s economic development during talks with Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
Following Wangchuck’s arrival for a two-day visit, the two leaders discussed expanding cooperation in various areas, including clean energy, trade and investment, space, and technology.
The Bhutanese King was received at the airport by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in reflection of the importance India attached to the visit.(X/@narendramodi)
Modi reiterated India’s unwavering commitment to its long-standing friendship and cooperation with Bhutan, reaffirming full support for the nation’s socio-economic development in line with Bhutan’s priorities, as stated in a joint declaration.
During the talks, the Prime Minister also confirmed India’s continued backing for the Gelephu Mindfulness City initiative, a project led by Wangchuck aimed at accelerating Bhutan’s development and strengthening ties with neighboring border areas in India.
The Bhutanese King was warmly welcomed at the airport by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, highlighting the significance of the visit for India.
In a post on ‘X’, Modi expressed his admiration for Wangchuck’s vision for Bhutan's advancement and regional growth. “We remain committed to advancing the unique and enduring partnership between India and Bhutan,” he said.
The King is accompanied by Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck and senior Bhutanese government officials.
After the discussions, Prime Minister Modi hosted a luncheon in honor of the King and Queen.
The joint statement noted that Modi and Wangchuck reviewed the expanding bilateral partnership, highlighting areas such as trade and economic connectivity, infrastructure, energy, skill development, education, health, the digital economy, space technology, environmental conservation, and people-to-people relations.
Both the Prime Minister and the King expressed satisfaction with the “excellent” state of bilateral ties and reiterated their commitment to further strengthening these exemplary relations, the statement added.
The King also conveyed his gratitude for India’s “invaluable” support towards Bhutan’s socio-economic development.
The Bhutanese delegation expressed gratitude to India for enhancing development support under Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan (2024–2029) and for its assistance with Thimphu’s economic stimulus program, according to the statement.
During discussions, the King briefed Prime Minister Modi on the progress of his vision for the Gelephu Mindfulness City Special Administrative Region and explored potential collaboration between India and Bhutan on the project to benefit both nations and the region.
The leaders reviewed advancements in strategic partnerships within the energy sector, including non-hydro initiatives. The joint statement noted their satisfaction with the nearing completion of the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II hydropower project and their anticipation of its commissioning soon. They also emphasized the importance of concluding the Punatsangchhu-I hydropower project at the earliest.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation in hydropower development and stressed the urgency of finalizing modalities for new projects, including reservoir-based hydro ventures.
The leaders assessed progress on key infrastructure initiatives, such as the establishment of two cross-border rail links and the enhancement of digital connectivity.
The King’s visit to New Delhi comes as China steps up efforts to formalize diplomatic relations with Bhutan. Both nations are working towards an expedited resolution of their longstanding boundary dispute, a matter with significant implications for India’s security.
Over a year ago, Bhutan’s then-Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji held discussions in Beijing with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Following those talks, a Chinese statement highlighted Bhutan’s adherence to the one-China principle and its willingness to collaborate on resolving the boundary issue.
India has been closely monitoring the Bhutan-China negotiations, particularly due to potential security concerns related to the Doklam tri-junction.
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