India-Bhutan friendship model of peace, progress: PM Narendra Modi

New Delhi, Nov 11: Against the backdrop of soaring prayer flags and resonant chants at Thimphu’s Changlimethang Celebration Ground, Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined Bhutan in marking the 70th birth anniversary of the Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, a monarch revered as the architect of modern Bhutan and the visionary behind its philosophy of Gross National Happiness.

The day was not only one of royal celebration but also a reaffirmation of the deep, almost spiritual, bond between India and Bhutan. Prime Minister Modi extended warm greetings to both the Fifth King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and the Fourth King, describing his presence at the event as a reflection of India’s abiding friendship with Bhutan.

Yet, the visit carried an undertone of solemnity. Modi acknowledged the grief caused by the tragic incident in Delhi the previous evening, which, he said, had deeply shaken the nation. He assured that Indian agencies were working through the night and vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice. Even amid sorrow, the Prime Minister’s address was anchored in themes of peace and spiritual kinship. The event coincided with Bhutan’s Global Peace Prayer Festival, where Buddhist monks, saints, and followers from around the world gathered to pray for universal harmony alongside the sacred viewing of Lord Buddha’s Piprahwa relics. Modi linked the gathering to India’s ancient ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam “the world is one family,” and invoked traditional prayers for peace across the earth, skies, and all living beings. He reflected on his own connection to Buddhism, noting that both his birthplace, Vadnagar, and his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, are steeped in Buddhist heritage. “This moment,” he said, “is personally meaningful,” calling for the lamp of peace to shine in every home from Bhutan to the wider world.

A TRIBUTE TO A VISIONARY KING

Modi paid a heartfelt tribute to the Fourth King, describing him as a rare blend of wisdom, simplicity, courage, and compassion. Assuming the throne at just sixteen, His Majesty guided Bhutan through modernisation while preserving its spiritual core. During his 34-year reign, he championed democracy, strengthened border peace, and introduced the now globally acclaimed concept of Gross National Happiness, an idea that, Modi said, has redefined how nations view prosperity and well-being. He credited the Fourth King with laying the foundation of the enduring India-Bhutan friendship, a relationship he said continues to thrive under the leadership of the present King, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

EXPANDING HORIZONS OF COOPERATION

From hydropower to high technology, Modi outlined an expansive vision for future cooperation. Bhutan’s pioneering commitment to sustainable development, he noted, had made it the world’s first carbon-negative country. Building on that legacy, the two nations inaugurated a new 1,000-megawatt hydroelectric project that will expand Bhutan’s power generation capacity by 40 percent, alongside plans to revive another stalled project and new collaboration in solar energy. Connectivity, Modi said, remains at the heart of Bhutan’s growth story. India will assist in linking Bhutanese cities such as Gelephu and Samtse to India’s railway network, offering Bhutanese industries and farmers easier access to India’s vast market. India will also open a new immigration checkpoint near Gelephu to support the ambitious Mindfulness City project envisioned by the Bhutanese monarch. To back Bhutan’s ongoing development, India has committed Rs 10,000 crore under the country’s current Five-Year Plan, supporting sectors from roads to healthcare. Efforts are also under way to expand UPI digital payment systems in Bhutan and facilitate cross-border access for citizens of both nations.

A PARTNERSHIP FOR THE FUTURE

Modi emphasised that the true strength of India-Bhutan relations lies not just in policy but in people. He praised Bhutan’s focus on youth empowerment and announced that young innovators from both countries are collaborating on a joint satellite project—symbolising a shared journey into the future. Cultural and spiritual exchanges, too, continue to deepen. The Prime Minister highlighted the newly inaugurated Royal Bhutanese Temple in Rajgir and announced that India would provide land for a Bhutanese temple and guest house in Varanasi, further weaving the two countries’ cultural and religious ties. As the prayers of thousands echoed through the Himalayan valley, Modi concluded with a message of unity and hope, expressing confidence that the friendship between India and Bhutan, rooted in peace, trust, and shared heritage, will continue to light the way for the region and the world.