External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar paid an official visit to Bhutan from September 16 to 18, during which India and Bhutan reviewed the full range of their bilateral cooperation and discussed regional and international issues of mutual importance.
The visit was undertaken at the invitation of Bhutan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Lyonpo D. N. Dhungyel. During his stay, EAM Jaishankar received an audience with the Bhutan King and called on Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay. He also held discussions with Foreign Minister Dhungyel in the historic valley of Bumthang.
The two sides expressed appreciation for the continued strengthening of the special and multi-faceted India-Bhutan partnership under the guidance of the Bhutan King and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India reaffirms support for Bhutan’s development priorities
EAM Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s support for Bhutan’s developmental goals and priorities, while both sides welcomed progress in bilateral development cooperation.
Bhutan appreciated India’s support for a wide range of programmes under its 13th Five Year Plan for 2024-29.
During the visit, EAM Jaishankar and Bhutan’s Foreign Minister jointly inaugurated or launched several development initiatives, including the 65-bed Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital in Mongar, the transfer of 43 Jersey cows from India to the National Cattle Breeding Centre in Bumthang and the Jaganathan Bridge on the Samdrup Jongkhar-Trashigang Highway in eastern Bhutan.
The two ministers also witnessed the handing over of 54 electric vehicles to the Royal Government of Bhutan and participated in the groundbreaking and foundation stone laying ceremony for the 500 kW Lunana Hydropower Project.
Energy cooperation gains momentum
India and Bhutan expressed satisfaction with the implementation of their Joint Vision on Energy Partnership, adopted in March 2024.
The two sides noted recent developments in bilateral energy cooperation, including the inauguration of the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project (HEP) and the signing of its Tariff Protocol. They also took note of the resumption of dam construction at the 1,200 MW Punatsangchhu-I HEP.
The two countries welcomed the signing of an agreement for a concessional Line of Credit of INR 4,000 crore for energy projects in Bhutan. They also welcomed the growing participation of Indian companies in Bhutan’s hydropower projects, which is expected to add further momentum to bilateral energy cooperation.
India backs Gelephu Mindfulness City
EAM Jaishankar reaffirmed the Government of India’s support for Bhutan King’s vision for the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC).
Both sides acknowledged the ongoing engagement through the Joint Working Group on GMC and agreed to continue efforts to develop cooperation on issues related to the project.
India also reaffirmed its commitment to establish an Immigration Check Post at Hatisar in Assam to facilitate the movement of investors and visitors to Gelephu, as announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s State Visit to Bhutan in November 2025.
Bhutan welcomed India’s decision to establish a special temporary immigration facility at Hatisar to facilitate the entry and exit of third-country nationals for Project 108 Chortens/Stupas from November 1, 2026.
Trade, connectivity and digital payments discussed
The two sides took note of ongoing discussions on the renewal of the Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit between India and Bhutan.
Bhutan appreciated India’s recent notification allowing the export of 17 species of timber wood from Bhutan to India. Bhutan also thanked India for maintaining uninterrupted supplies of petrol, diesel and LPG despite global supply-chain disruptions.
India and Bhutan welcomed the operationalisation of a new Land Customs Station at Samrang in Assam, describing it as part of joint efforts to expand cross-border connectivity, infrastructure and facilities.
The two sides also noted progress on the proposed cross-border railway links between Gelephu and Kokrajhar and Samtse and Banarhat.
The ministers welcomed the operationalisation of a Unified Payments Interface (UPI)-based facility, which will enable Bhutanese nationals to make digital payments in India using Bhutanese mobile applications.
Cooperation in space, education and healthcare
India and Bhutan expressed satisfaction with ongoing cooperation in the space sector and encouraged greater engagement on the use of satellite data for applications such as glacier monitoring, forest-resource management, flood monitoring and agriculture.
The two sides also emphasized the importance of educational, capacity-building and training programmes, cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts.
They endorsed activities of the India-Bhutan Foundation aimed at supporting bilateral educational, scientific, cultural and technical exchanges. The ministers also appreciated the contribution of Indian teachers and nurses to education and healthcare services in Bhutan.
As part of efforts to strengthen educational cooperation, the two countries agreed to double the number of seats for Bhutanese students from 30 to 60 under Indian Council for Cultural Relations scholarships.
The number of seats for Bhutanese students under the Nalanda University Scholarship Scheme will also increase from 30 to 55. The two sides further agreed to renew the Memorandum of Understanding on the Nehru-Wangchuck Scholarship.
Bhutan backs India’s UNSC candidature
India thanked Bhutan for its support for India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2028-2029 term.
India also welcomed Bhutan’s ratification of the Framework Agreement of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).
The ministers exchanged views on regional and global developments and recognized the importance of close bilateral relations amid the evolving international environment.
The two countries reiterated that their partnership is characterized by trust, goodwill, mutual understanding and strong people-to-people contacts.
At the conclusion of the visit, EAM Jaishankar invited Bhutan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade to visit India at his earliest convenience.
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