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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the Kingdom of Bhutan for a state visit on November 11-12. This high-profile visit continues the rich tradition of regular, high-level exchanges that define the unique and exemplary partnership between India and Bhutan. It is a moment to not only celebrate this enduring friendship but also to chart a new course for shared progress. A central event of the visit will be the joint inauguration of the massive 1,020-MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project alongside His Majesty The King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. This flagship project, a testament to the robust India-Bhutan energy cooperation, will boost Bhutan’s power capacity by nearly 40% and secure a consistent source of clean energy for India. PM Modi will participate in the special celebrations marking the 70th birth anniversary of His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the revered Fourth Druk Gyalpo. This reflects the deep respect and close ties between the royal families and the leadership of both nations. The visit coincides with the exposition of the Sacred Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha from India in Bhutan. PM Modi will offer prayers to the Holy Relics at Tashichhodzong in Thimphu and attend the Global Peace Prayer Festival, underscoring the profound spiritual and cultural foundation of the partnership. Heartfelt appreciation to the people and leadership of Bhutan for the reverent welcome accorded to the Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha from India. These relics symbolise the timeless message of peace, compassion and harmony. The teachings of Lord Buddha are a sacred link between… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 9, 2025 Bilateral discussions The Prime Minister will hold bilateral discussions with his counterpart, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, to review the wide-ranging cooperation, particularly focusing on India’s ₹10,000 Crore grant assistance for Bhutan’s 13th Five Year Plan (2024-2029) and exploring new areas like: Rail Connectivity: Reviewing progress on the historic cross-border rail links, including the Kokrajhar-Gelephu and Banarhat-Samtse lines. Gelephu Mindfulness City: Reaffirming support for His Majesty’s visionary economic hub project. Space and Fin-tech: Advancing collaboration in emerging sectors like the India-Bhutan SAT and BHIM UPI integration. India-Bhutan relations The foundation of India-Bhutan relations rests on the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (1949, revised 2007). From being Bhutan’s largest development partner to being its top trading partner, India is deeply invested in the prosperity of its neighbour. This visit, following PM Modi’s landmark trip in March 2024 where he received the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, confirms the commitment to a shared future of peace, development, and strategic alignment. In view of the special relations, India has provided special exemption to Bhutan from any restrictions or prohibitions on export of essential commodities to Bhutan. At the request of Bhutan, a number of trade points/routes have been approved for facilitating Bhutan’s exports to India and also to third countries. Recently, a B2B agreement for supply of various fertilisers to Bhutan was signed. India has always provided assistance for the 5-year plans of Bhutan. Ties have been cemented by infrastructure development in Bhutan. The Indian Border Roads Organisation has built 1,600 kms of roads, 120 kms of Tracks, 5,000 metres of Bridges, helipads, Paro airport and the country’s telecommunication network. Buddhism is a shared heritage between India and Bhutan. A number of Bhutanese pilgrims travel to Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Sikkim, Udayagiri, Sarnath and other Buddhist sites in India. As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan, His Holiness the Je Khenpo presided over the ground-breaking ceremony to construct a Bhutanese temple in Rajgir. The temple will be inaugurated on 4th September 2025. The statue of Zhabdrung (a revered figure in Bhutan, regarded as the founder of the Bhutan nation), currently on exhibition at the Simtokha Dzong in Bhutan, has been loaned by the Asiatic Society, Kolkata.
