Bhutan King’s Visit to India Strengthens Bilateral Ties

Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck received a heartfelt welcome from External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar upon his arrival in New Delhi on Thursday for a two-day official visit to India. Accompanying him were Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck and senior officials from Bhutan’s Royal Government. Expressing his sentiments on social media, Jaishankar wrote on platform X, “Honoured to welcome His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, on his arrival in New Delhi today. His visit will further strengthen our unique bonds of friendship.”

During his visit, the Bhutanese King is set to engage in a series of high-level bilateral meetings with Indian leaders to review and advance the longstanding diplomatic relationship between the two nations. According to an official statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the visit, which concludes on Friday, underscores the enduring bonds and mutual respect shared between the neighboring countries.

One of the key highlights of the visit will be a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which marks another step in the ongoing engagement at the highest levels. Jaishankar and senior Indian officials are also expected to hold discussions with King Wangchuck to explore new opportunities for collaboration while strengthening existing ties.

India and Bhutan enjoy a unique and exemplary relationship rooted in mutual trust, goodwill, and understanding. This partnership was formalized in 1949 with the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, which was renewed in 2007 to reflect the evolving dynamics of the relationship. Formal diplomatic ties were established in 1968, further solidifying this enduring bond.

Economic interdependence is a defining feature of the bilateral relationship. Around 50,000 Indian citizens work in Bhutan across various sectors, including construction, education, and infrastructure development. Many workers also commute daily to Bhutan’s border towns for their employment. This deep integration highlights the shared prosperity between the two nations.

In recent years, collaboration has expanded beyond traditional sectors such as hydropower to include emerging areas like digital infrastructure, education, and space technology. Bhutan was one of the first countries to adopt India’s BHIM App, strengthening financial linkages. Additionally, India has supported Bhutan’s ‘Digital Drukyul’ initiative, which aims to establish an advanced optical fiber network across all 20 districts of Bhutan.

Space technology represents another area of significant growth. Following Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Bhutan in 2019, the two countries jointly launched the ‘India-Bhutan SAT’ in November 2022, symbolizing their progressive technological partnership. In education, India continues to assist Bhutan in addressing the shortage of STEM teachers, enhancing the nation’s human capital development.

The King’s visit presents an opportunity to review ongoing initiatives, discuss emerging challenges, and identify new avenues for cooperation. This high-level engagement serves to further strengthen the long-standing friendship between India and Bhutan, while paving the way for deeper collaboration in areas of mutual interest.