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Power to Bhutan: Good relations balance Thimphu's geopolitical pragmatism

Sustained cordiality has been the result of India's constructive and dependable engagement with Bhutan since the 1960s, helping it build institutions of governance and military capabilities

Power to Bhutan: Good relations balance Thimphu's geopolitical pragmatism
Updated On : 13 Nov 2025 | 11:02 PM IST

Modi reaffirms support for Bhutan's 13th plan, attends peace festival

India on Wednesday reaffirmed its "unwavering" support to Bhutan's 13th five-year-plan as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with former king Jigme Singye Wangchuck and joined Bhutanese leadership to attend the Kalachakra initiation ceremony, hosted as part of the Global Peace Prayer Festival. Following the meeting, Modi lauded Singye's contribution in further cementing India-Bhutan ties and said the discussions focused on bilateral cooperation in areas of energy, trade, technology and connectivity. "Discussed cooperation in energy, trade, technology and connectivity. Lauded the progress in the Gelephu Mindfulness City Project, which aligns with our Act East Policy," Modi said on social media. In the morning, Modi inaugurated the "Kalacakra Wheel of Time Empowerment" at the Global Peace Prayer Festival that was attended by top Bhutanese leadership, including Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Singye. "This is an important ritual with great cultural significance for

Modi reaffirms support for Bhutan's 13th plan, attends peace festival
Updated On : 12 Nov 2025 | 11:51 PM IST

PM Modi meets Bhutan's former king, praises his efforts for bilateral ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met with Bhutan's former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck and said he appreciated his extensive efforts over the years towards further cementing ties between the two South Asian neighbours. Had a wonderful meeting with His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. Appreciated his extensive efforts over the years towards further cementing India-Bhutan ties, Modi said in a social media post. During the meeting, they discussed cooperation in energy, trade, technology and connectivity. Lauded the progress in the Gelephu Mindfulness City Project, which aligns with our Act East Policy, Modi added. Modi also thanked His Majesty for his wise counsel and guidance in further enhancing the special India-Bhutan friendship, the Ministry of External Affairs said. The prime minister conveyed best wishes of the government and people of India for the former king's continued good health, well-being and a long life, the ministry added. Modi, who is on a two-day visit to t

PM Modi meets Bhutan's former king, praises his efforts for bilateral ties
Updated On : 12 Nov 2025 | 12:12 PM IST

PM Narendra Modi promises timely completion of India-Bhutan railway links

During his Bhutan visit, PM Modi announced a Rs 4,000-crore credit line for Thimphu's energy sector and promised timely completion of two India-Bhutan rail links approved in September

PM Narendra Modi promises timely completion of India-Bhutan railway links
Updated On : 11 Nov 2025 | 11:03 PM IST

PM Modi, Bhutan King hold talks on energy, defence, connectivity projects

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on Tuesday held wide-ranging talks during which they discussed cooperation in sectors such as energy, capacity building, connectivity, technology, defence and security. After the delegation-level talks, the two leaders jointly inaugurated the 1020 Punatsangchhu-II hydroelectric project, developed jointly by India and Bhutan. "Had a very good meeting with His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan. We covered the full range of India-Bhutan relations," Modi said in a post on social media. "We discussed cooperation in sectors like energy, capacity building, connectivity, technology, defence and security. India is proud to be a key partner in Bhutan's development journey," he added. Prime Minister Modi arrived in Bhutan on Tuesday for a two-day visit. The ties between India and Bhutan have been on an upswing. In September, India unveiled its plan to build two cross-border train links wi

PM Modi, Bhutan King hold talks on energy, defence, connectivity projects
Updated On : 11 Nov 2025 | 6:12 PM IST

PM Modi in Bhutan to attend Fourth King's 70th birthday, peace festival

PM Modi also mentioned that the visit would mark a major milestone in the India-Bhutan energy partnership with the inauguration of the Punatsangchhu-II hydropower project

PM Modi in Bhutan to attend Fourth King's 70th birthday, peace festival
Updated On : 11 Nov 2025 | 12:40 PM IST

PM Modi to visit Bhutan on Nov 11 to boost ties further, inaugurate project

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Bhutan on Tuesday on a two-day visit to further strengthen bilateral ties and inaugurate a mega hydroelectric project jointly developed by the two countries. Modi will meet Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and hold wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay during the November 11-12 visit. The prime minister will also attend celebrations to mark the 70th birth anniversary of Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the former king of Bhutan. "The visit seeks to strengthen the special ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday. Modi and King Wangchuck will jointly inaugurate the 1020 mega watt Punatsangchhu-II hydroelectric project developed jointly by India and Bhutan, it said. The prime minister will attend the celebrations dedicated to the 70th birth anniversary of Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan, the MEA said. "India and Bhutan share

PM Modi to visit Bhutan on Nov 11 to boost ties further, inaugurate project
Updated On : 08 Nov 2025 | 9:22 PM IST

FM Sitharaman starts Bhutan tour to strengthen bilateral economic ties

According to a press statement, the visit, scheduled from October 30 to November 2, 2025, underscores India's enduring partnership with Bhutan, built on mutual trust, respect, and shared goals

FM Sitharaman starts Bhutan tour to strengthen bilateral economic ties
Updated On : 30 Oct 2025 | 8:39 PM IST

RBI revises norms for rupee lending in Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka

The RBI said it has also extended the time for repatriating money in foreign currency accounts maintained in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in India from one month to three months.

RBI revises norms for rupee lending in Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka
Updated On : 13 Oct 2025 | 8:33 PM IST

India, Bhutan to establish first rail link with ₹4,033 cr outlay over 3 yrs

India and Bhutan will build Rs 4,033 crore rail links from Gelephu and Samtse within three years, connecting to Indian Railways to strengthen trade, cargo and passenger movement

India, Bhutan to establish first rail link with ₹4,033 cr outlay over 3 yrs
Updated On : 29 Sep 2025 | 11:28 PM IST

Moody's retains India's rating, Karur stampede, India-Bhutan rail link, Trump-Netanyahu meet & more

Moody’s Ratings on Monday affirmed India’s sovereign rating at Baa3 with a ‘stable’ outlook, citing robust growth and a strong external position.

Icon YoutubeMoody's retains India's rating, Karur stampede, India-Bhutan rail link, Trump-Netanyahu meet & more
Updated On : 29 Sep 2025 | 7:29 PM IST

India-Bhutan to build ₹4,033 cr cross-border rail links: Foreign Secretary

The two nations agreed to establish two cross-border rail links between Banarhat and Samtse and Kokrajhar and Gelephu, marking the first set of rail connectivity projects with Bhutan

India-Bhutan to build ₹4,033 cr cross-border rail links: Foreign Secretary
Updated On : 29 Sep 2025 | 4:56 PM IST

Adani Power, Druk Green to build 570 MW hydroelectric project in Bhutan

The ₹6,000 crore Wangchhu project, for which agreements were signed today, will meet Bhutan's winter energy demand, with the surplus exported to India in the summer

Adani Power, Druk Green to build 570 MW hydroelectric project in Bhutan
Updated On : 06 Sep 2025 | 11:29 AM IST

Sandeep Arya appointed as India's next ambassador to Bhutan by MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said Sandeep Arya has been appointed as India's next ambassador to Bhutan. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly. "Sandeep Arya (IFS:1994), presently Ambassador to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Bhutan," the MEA said in a statement.

Sandeep Arya appointed as India's next ambassador to Bhutan by MEA
Updated On : 05 Aug 2025 | 10:11 PM IST

Reliance Power to build Bhutan's largest solar project in ₹2,000 cr JV

Reliance Power and Bhutan's Druk Holding to jointly develop a 500 MW solar plant in a ₹2,000 cr BOO-model venture, marking the biggest private FDI in Bhutan's solar sector

Reliance Power to build Bhutan's largest solar project in ₹2,000 cr JV
Updated On : 19 May 2025 | 10:06 AM IST

India, Bhutan enjoy exemplary ties of friendship, cooperation: MEA

India and Bhutan enjoy "exemplary ties" of friendship and cooperation, based on trust, goodwill and mutual understanding at all levels, and the visit of Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay was in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries, the MEA said on Saturday. Tobgay paid an official visit to India from February 20 to February 21 to participate in the inaugural leadership conclave of the School of Ultimate Leadership (SOUL), which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the visit, Tobgay had a meeting with Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and other senior officials of the government of India called on the prime minister of Bhutan during his visit, it ...

India, Bhutan enjoy exemplary ties of friendship, cooperation: MEA
Updated On : 22 Feb 2025 | 3:07 PM IST

Bhutan PM calls Modi his 'mentor', seeks guidance for public service reform

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay on Friday described his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi as his "elder brother" and "mentor" and sought his guidance to help him contribute to transformation of public service in the neighbouring country. In his keynote address at the School of Ultimate Leadership (SOUL) conclave here, Tobgay made liberal use of Hindi that drew multiple applause from the audience. "Without a doubt, I see an image of an elder brother in you, who always guides me and helps me ('Nisandeh, aap mei ek bade bhai ki chhavi dekhta hun, jo sadaiv mera margdarshan karte hain, aur mujhe sahayta dete hain')," he said. Tshering termed the SOUL initiative a "brainchild of Modi", adding, it is yet another testament to his unwavering commitment to nurturing authentic leaders and empowering them to serve the great republic of India. In his address, the Bhutanese prime minister humbly submitted that he had come to attend the event to not offer any leadership lessons but to ..

Bhutan PM calls Modi his 'mentor', seeks guidance for public service reform
Updated On : 21 Feb 2025 | 5:15 PM IST

R-Day 2025: PM Modi thanks world leaders for their wishes to India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday thanked world leaders for their wishes on India's 76th Republic Day. Thanking France President Emmanuel Macron, Modi said his presence at the R-day parade last year was a high point in the strategic partnership and enduring friendship between the two countries. "My dear friend, President @EmmanuelMacron, your kind greetings on India's 76th Republic Day are deeply appreciated. Your august presence last year on this day was indeed a high point in our strategic partnership and enduring friendship. See you soon at the AI Action Summit in Paris as we work together for better future of the humanity," he said in response to a post by Macron on X. In a separate post, Modi thanked Ireland Prime Minister Micheal Martin, saying, " I am confident that the enduring bonds of friendship between India and Ireland, based on the shared trust and belief in democracy, will continue to strengthen in times to come". India's rich cultural diversity, military prowess

R-Day 2025: PM Modi thanks world leaders for their wishes to India
Updated On : 27 Jan 2025 | 4:30 PM IST

Special prayers for Manmohan Singh held across Bhutan, King attends funeral

Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on Saturday attended the funeral of former prime minister Manmohan Singh, a day after leading the Himalayan nation in offering prayers for the Indian leader at a Buddhist monastery in Thimphu. Separate prayer ceremonies were held for the former Indian prime minister at all 20 Dzongkhags or districts of Bhutan, according to the Bhutan government. As a mark of respect to Singh, Bhutan's national flag was flown at half-mast across the country and at its embassies, and consulates abroad, according to the Royal Bhutan government. A thousand butter lamps were lit at the ceremony held in Thimphu's Kuenrey of Tashichhodzong that was led by the King. The prayer was attended by Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Indian ambassador Sudhakar Dalela, several members of the Royal family and senior officials of the Bhutanese government. "As a mark of respect to the late former prime minister and in solidarity with the government and people of India, all .

Special prayers for Manmohan Singh held across Bhutan, King attends funeral
Updated On : 28 Dec 2024 | 4:20 PM IST

Bhutan king, Assam CM discuss promotion of regional economic development

Sarma assured the Bhutanese leadership of the Assam government's steadfast commitment and cooperation to bolstering trade infrastructure along the India-Bhutan border in Assam

Bhutan king, Assam CM discuss promotion of regional economic development
Updated On : 17 Dec 2024 | 11:48 PM IST