Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday concluded a two-day state visit to Bhutan, which further deepened the long-standing partnership between the two countries through key announcements, joint inaugurations, and high-level discussions on cooperation in energy, connectivity, technology, culture, and sustainable development.
The visit, held at the invitation of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, was marked by a series of engagements reflecting the deep friendship and mutual trust that define India-Bhutan relations. In a special gesture, the King personally accompanied PM Modi to the airport to see him off, underscoring the warmth of the bilateral relationship.
After concluding his visit, PM Modi said in a post on X, “My visit to Bhutan has taken place when the people of this nation are marking various landmark programmes. It is the 70th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, the Global Peace Prayer Festival is ongoing and special Buddha relics from India are here. The outcomes in sectors like energy, healthcare and connectivity will add momentum to our bilateral partnership. My gratitude to the people and Government of Bhutan. I am grateful to His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck for coming to the airport as I board for Delhi.”
During the visit, PM Modi participated as the Guest of Honour in celebrations marking the 70th birth anniversary of the Fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, at Thimphu’s Changlimithang Stadium. He also joined the ongoing Global Peace Prayer Festival, presided over by the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan), which drew over 30,000 participants, including international visitors.
Thousands of Bhutanese citizens and monks offered prayers for those who lost their lives in the November 10 car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort.
Addressing the gathering, King Wangchuck said, “Let us all come together and pray for India, pray for Prime Minister Modi. May all your aspirations, your vision, and your service to India bear fruit. May you overcome every obstacle, and may your dream of a stronger, more prosperous India be fulfilled.”
Expressing sorrow over the incident, he added, “We would like to take a moment and pray for the people who sadly lost their lives yesterday in Delhi. We’d like to pray for them.”
During the visit, PM Modi held extensive discussions with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Fourth Druk Gyalpo, and Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay. The talks covered a broad spectrum of cooperation – including energy, trade, technology, connectivity, and regional stability.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advancing a shared vision for a free, open, and sustainable Indo-Pacific.
A key highlight of the visit was the joint inauguration of the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project, attended by PM Modi and the Bhutan King in the presence of the sacred Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha. The project marks another milestone in the exemplary hydropower collaboration between the two nations.
The leaders also welcomed the resumption of work on the 1200 MW Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project, agreeing to expedite its completion. Once operational, it will become the largest jointly developed hydroelectric project between India and Bhutan.
Bhutan expressed appreciation for India’s announcement of a ₹40 billion concessional Line of Credit to support new energy projects and ongoing infrastructure initiatives.
PM Modi reaffirmed India’s unwavering support for Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan, including the Economic Stimulus Programme, with a total commitment of ₹10,000 crore.
According to the Embassy of India in Bhutan, ₹7,000 crore has been allocated for Project Tied Assistance (PTA) projects, ₹1,000 crore for High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs), ₹1,500 crore for the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP), and ₹500 crore as Programme Grant.
PM Modi also announced the establishment of an Immigration Check Post at Hatisar in Assam to facilitate the movement of investors and visitors to Bhutan’s visionary Gelephu Mindfulness City project. The King appreciated India’s continued support for the construction of Gyalsung academies and other national initiatives.
The leaders welcomed progress in enhancing cross-border infrastructure, including the operationalisation of the Immigration Check Post at Darranga (November 2024) and the Inland Waterways Terminal and Multimodal Logistics Park at Jogighopa (March 2025).
They also noted the signing of MoUs in September 2025 for two new rail links – Gelephu–Kokrajhar and Samtse-Banarhat – with a Project Steering Committee established to oversee implementation.
Bhutan thanked India for institutionalising mechanisms to ensure the uninterrupted supply of essential commodities and fertilisers, with the first consignment under the new arrangement already delivered.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with growing collaboration in STEM education, fintech, and space technology. Phase II of the UPI integration will soon allow Bhutanese visitors to make payments in India using local mobile apps. The two nations also reviewed progress on the Joint Plan of Action on Space Cooperation and acknowledged the contributions of Indian professionals in Bhutan’s education and healthcare sectors.
PM Modi joined Bhutan’s King and the Fourth Druk Gyalpo at the Kalachakra ‘Wheel of Time’ empowerment initiation in Thimphu, a major event of the Global Peace Prayer Festival.
He expressed gratitude for Bhutan’s decision to host the Holy Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha and announced that India will provide land in Varanasi for the construction of a Bhutanese temple and guesthouse, following the consecration of the Royal Bhutan Temple in Rajgir.
Three key Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed during PM Modi’s Bhutan visit:
* Renewable Energy Cooperation between India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and Bhutan’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.
* Health and Medicine Cooperation between India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Bhutan’s Ministry of Health.
* Institutional Linkages in Mental Health between Bhutan’s PEMA Secretariat and India’s National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS).
As the visit concluded, both nations reaffirmed their commitment to regular high-level exchanges and continued collaboration across all sectors. The MEA said in a statement that the visit “reaffirmed the tradition of mutual respect, trust, and friendship that form the bedrock of India–Bhutan relations.”