PM Narendra Modi concludes 2-day state visit to Bhutan
New Delhi, Nov 12: At the invitation of Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a two-day State Visit to Bhutan from November 11-12, 2025, further deepening the long-standing ties between the two Himalayan neighbours.
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi joined the people of Bhutan in celebrating the 70th birth anniversary of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo as the Guest of Honour at a grand ceremony held at Changlimithang in Thimphu.
He also participated in the Global Peace Prayer Festival, where the King expressed appreciation for the presence of the Holy Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha from India, displayed for public veneration during the festival. Reaffirming India’s steadfast commitment to Bhutan’s development, Prime Minister Modi pledged continued support for Bhutan’s 13th Five Year Plan and its Economic Stimulus Programme. The Bhutanese leadership expressed appreciation for India’s ongoing assistance to projects across the country under the plan. Prime Minister Modi also conveyed India’s full support for His Majesty’s vision of developing the Gelephu Mindfulness City and announced the establishment of an Immigration Check Post at Hatisar in Assam to facilitate smoother movement of investors and visitors. His Majesty expressed appreciation for India’s continued assistance in the construction of Gyalsung academies.
In a key highlight of the visit, The King and Prime Minister Modi jointly inaugurated the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project on November 11, 2025, in the presence of the Holy Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha. The project, described as a symbol of the enduring friendship and cooperation between India and Bhutan, has begun exporting electricity to India. The two sides expressed satisfaction over progress under the Joint Vision on Energy Partnership signed in March 2024. The leaders also welcomed the decision to resume work on the main dam structure of the 1,200 MW Punatsangchhu-I project, agreeing to expedite its completion. Once operational, it will be the largest hydropower project jointly developed by the two countries. The Bhutanese side thanked India for extending a concessional Line of Credit of ₹40 billion to support Bhutan’s energy projects. Both sides underlined the importance of enhancing cross-border connectivity and infrastructure. They welcomed recent milestones, including the operationalisation of the Immigration Check Post at Darranga (November 2024), the Inland Waterways Terminal and Multimodal Logistics Park in Jogighopa (March 2025), and the signing of an MoU in September 2025 for establishing cross-border rail links between Gelephu-Kokrajhar and Samtse-Banarhat. A Project Steering Committee has since been set up to oversee implementation.
The Bhutanese side also appreciated India’s efforts to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential commodities and fertilisers, including the arrival of the first consignment under the new arrangement.
The two leaders reviewed growing cooperation in emerging sectors such as STEM, fintech, and space technology. They welcomed progress on Phase II of the UPI integration, which will soon allow Bhutanese visitors to India to make digital payments using local apps. They expressed satisfaction at the implementation of the Joint Plan of Action on Space Cooperation and acknowledged the contributions of Indian teachers and healthcare professionals in Bhutan’s development.
Three key Memoranda of Understanding were signed during the visit include MoU on Renewable Energy Cooperation between Bhutan’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy; MoU on Health and Medicine between the two countries’ Health Ministries; and MoU on Institutional Linkages between Bhutan’s PEMA Secretariat and India’s National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS).
Reiterating the deep-rooted friendship based on trust, mutual respect, and shared values, both sides emphasised the importance of continuing high-level exchanges and cooperation across all sectors. The visit reaffirmed the unique and enduring partnership between India and Bhutan, grounded in people-to-people ties and a shared vision for sustainable development and regional stability.
