External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s two-day official visit to Bhutan saw India and Bhutan review the full spectrum of their bilateral relationship, with both sides noting progress in development cooperation and reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the “special and multi-faceted India-Bhutan partnership”.

The two countries also exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual interest, with the talks covering development partnership, energy, trade, connectivity, culture and people-to-people ties.

Jaishankar Meets Bhutan King, Prime Minister

Jaishankar arrived in Bhutan on Wednesday and met King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Bhutanese Foreign Minister D N Dhungyel during the visit.

After his meeting with the King on Thursday, Jaishankar posted on X, “Honoured to receive an audience with His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, The King of Bhutan in Thimphu today. Deeply value his guidance to further deepen the unique friendship between India and Bhutan.”

According to a joint press release issued on Friday, the two sides reviewed all aspects of bilateral cooperation and commended the progress made in development cooperation.

Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s support for Bhutan’s developmental goals and priorities, while Bhutan acknowledged India’s support for a range of programmes under its 13th Five Year Plan for 2024-29.

Development And Energy Cooperation

During the discussions, both sides looked at ways to further expand their development partnership, alongside cooperation in energy, trade, connectivity, culture and people-to-people relations.

Jaishankar inaugurated the 65-bed Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital in Mongar and laid the foundation stone for the 500 KW Lunana Hydropower Project in Gasa, northern Bhutan.

He also handed over 43 Jersey cows from India to the National Cattle Breeding Centre in Bumthang, as well as 54 electric vehicles to the Royal Government of Bhutan.

The two ministers welcomed the operationalisation of a Unified Payments Interface-based facility that will enable Bhutanese nationals to make digital payments in India through Bhutanese mobile applications.

India and Bhutan also expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the Joint Vision on Energy Partnership adopted in March 2024. They welcomed the signing of an agreement for a concessional Line of Credit of INR 4,000 crore for energy projects in Bhutan.

The two sides also commended the active participation of Indian companies in Bhutan’s hydropower projects, saying their involvement was adding dynamism to the existing energy partnership.

Connectivity And Gelephu Cooperation

India reaffirmed its commitment to establish an Immigration Check Post at Hatisar in Assam to facilitate the movement of investors and visitors to Gelephu. The facility was announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Bhutan in November 2025.

The two sides welcomed the recent operationalisation of a new Land Customs Station at Samrang in Assam and reviewed progress on proposed cross-border rail links between Gelephu and Kokrajhar and between Samtse and Banarhat.

Jaishankar also reaffirmed the Government of India’s support for the Bhutanese King’s vision for the Gelephu Mindfulness City. Both sides agreed to continue efforts to develop cooperation on issues connected with the project.

Space Cooperation And Regional Issues

India and Bhutan discussed ongoing cooperation in the space sector and encouraged further work on satellite data applications for monitoring glaciers, forest resources, floods and agriculture.

The ministers also exchanged views on regional and global developments and underlined the importance of maintaining close bilateral ties amid a complex international environment.

India thanked Bhutan for supporting its candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2028-2029 term. New Delhi also appreciated Bhutan’s ratification of the Framework Agreement of the International Big Cat Alliance.

The joint release described Jaishankar’s visit as part of the longstanding tradition of close engagement and cooperation between India and Bhutan. At the conclusion of the talks, Jaishankar invited his Bhutanese counterpart D N Dhungyel to visit India at his earliest convenience.

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