India, Bhutan review ties as Jaishankar advances energy and connectivity agenda

Thimphu,UPDATED: Sep 18, 2026 13:06 IST

India and Bhutan reviewed the full range of their bilateral ties and noted progress in development cooperation during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's two-day official visit to Bhutan. According to a joint press release issued on Friday, the two sides also discussed regional and international issues of mutual importance and appreciated the progress in strengthening the "special and multi-faceted India-Bhutan partnership".

Jaishankar, who arrived in Bhutan on Wednesday, received an audience with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, called on Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and held talks with his Bhutanese counterpart D N Dhungyel. After meeting the King on Thursday, Jaishankar said on X, "Honoured to receive an audience with His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, The King of Bhutan in Thimphu today. Deeply value his guidance to further deepen the unique friendship between India and Bhutan."

The joint release said the two sides reviewed all aspects of bilateral cooperation and commended progress in bilateral development cooperation. Jaishankar reaffirmed India's support for Bhutan's developmental goals and priorities, while Bhutan appreciated India's support for a wide range of programmes under its 13th Five Year Plan for 2024-29. The External Affairs Minister also discussed ways to advance cooperation in development partnership, energy, trade, connectivity, culture and people-to-people ties.

During the visit, Jaishankar inaugurated the 65-bed Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital in Mongar and laid the foundation stone for the 500 KW Lunana Hydropower Project in Gasa in northern Bhutan. He also handed over 43 Jersey cows from India to the Cattle Breeding Centre in Bumthang and 54 electric vehicles to the Royal Government of Bhutan.

The two ministers welcomed the operationalisation of a Unified Payments Interface-based facility that will allow Bhutanese nationals to make digital payments in India using Bhutanese mobile applications. They also discussed ongoing cooperation in the space sector and encouraged work on satellite data applications for monitoring glaciers, forest resources, floods and agriculture. Jaishankar reaffirmed the Government of India's support for the Bhutanese King's vision for the Gelephu Mindfulness City, and both sides agreed to continue efforts to develop collaboration on issues related to the project.

The ministers expressed satisfaction over the implementation of the Joint Vision on Energy Partnership of March 2024. They welcomed the signing of an agreement on a concessional Line of Credit of INR 4,000 crore for energy projects in Bhutan and commended the active engagement of Indian companies in hydropower projects in the country, saying it was adding dynamism to existing energy cooperation. 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.

The two sides also welcomed the recent operationalisation of a new Land Customs Station in Samrang, Assam, and reviewed progress on cross-border rail links between Gelephu and Kokrajhar and Samtse and Banarhat. They exchanged views on regional and global developments and recognised the importance of close bilateral ties in a complex international environment. India thanked Bhutan for supporting its candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2028-2029 term and appreciated Bhutan's ratification of the Framework Agreement of the Big Cat Alliance.

The release said Jaishankar's visit was in line with the longstanding tradition of close engagement and cooperation between the two countries. He also invited Dhungyel to visit India at his earliest convenience, as both sides wrapped up talks that covered development, connectivity, energy and wider regional issues.

With PTI Inputs

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