Thimphu (Bhutan)— Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, on Tuesday for a two-day state visit, where he received a warm welcome from Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay. During the visit, which runs from November 11 to 12, Modi will attend several official events, including the Global Peace Prayer Festival and the 70th birthday celebration of Bhutan’s Fourth King.
Upon his arrival, PM Modi expressed gratitude for the “warm and gracious welcome” on X (formerly Twitter). He described the visit as a reflection of the “deep bonds of friendship and cooperation” between India and Bhutan, emphasizing that the two nations share a time-tested partnership based on trust, goodwill, and mutual respect.
Before leaving New Delhi, the Prime Minister called it an honour to join the Bhutanese people in celebrating the Fourth King’s birthday and highlighted that the visit would mark a major milestone in the India-Bhutan energy partnership with the inauguration of the Punatsangchhu-II hydropower project.
Modi also noted the spiritual significance of the trip, as it coincides with the public exposition of the Sacred Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha from India during the Global Peace Prayer Festival. “The exposition of the Sacred Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha reflects our two countries’ deep-rooted civilisational and spiritual ties,” he stated.
During his stay, PM Modi will meet Bhutan’s current King, the Fourth King, and Prime Minister Tobgay to discuss key areas of cooperation, including energy, connectivity, and regional stability. The Ministry of External Affairs said the visit will offer an opportunity to deepen bilateral cooperation and exchange views on regional and global issues of shared concern.
India’s Ambassador to Bhutan, Sandeep Arya, described the visit as “highly significant,” noting that it coincides with major national and spiritual events, underscoring the “closest partnership” between the two countries.
