In a latest development, His Majesty the King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Her Majesty the Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck Majesty along with other prominent ministers and senior officials of the Royal Government of Bhutan embarked on an Official Visit to India. The King of Bhutan is the fifth and reigning king of Bhutan. The Majesties upon arrival were received at the airport by the External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.
The Bhutanese engagement in India
The King met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held detailed discussions with him on an entire range of bilateral relations along with the issues of regional and global importance. The Majesties met with the Prime Minister at his official residence wherein a luncheon was also hosted in their honour.
In an update on the X (twitter) account, PM Modi shared “Delighted to welcome Their Majesties, the King and Queen of Bhutan, to India. Admire His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck’s vision for Bhutan’s progress and regional development. We remain committed to advancing the unique and enduring partnership between India and Bhutan”.
Thereafter, Dr. S. Jaishankar and India’s National Security Advisor Mr. Ajit Doval called on the King of Bhutan. In a similar update on X, Dr. Jaishankar shared “Called on His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck today. Discussed the steady progress that India-Bhutan partnership is making. Value his guidance for future growth. Also assured India’s fullest support for the development goals of Bhutan”.
In a Joint Statement released, the leaders hailed the unique ties shared between India and Bhutan that are characterized by cooperation, mutual understanding and earnest friendship. The leaders shared their satisfaction on the significant progress made since the last meeting in March 2024 and thereby welcomed regular high-level visits and consultations covering diverse sectors of cooperation. They also assessed the growing partnership in areas like trade and connectivity, infrastructure, energy, skill development, education, capacity building, cultural heritage, digital economy, e-mobility and people-to-people contact among others.
Prime Minister Modi affirmed India’s abiding commitment in enduring bonds of friendship and cooperation with Bhutan and His Majesty shared with the Prime Minister the progress made in the implementation of his vision for the Gelephu Mindfulness City Special Administrative Region and how both the countries can work together on the project for the betterment of the two peoples and the region.
Furthermore, Clean Energy Cooperation forms an integral part of the India-Bhutan partnership, with the leaders affirming their commitment to strengthening the mutually beneficial cooperation as mentioned in the Joint Vision Statement on India-Bhutan Energy Partnership that was released during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bhutan in March 2024.
The leaders reiterated that the visit of the King of Bhutan has only nourished the longstanding tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the countries wherein this visit also provided an opportunity for them to advance the close bilateral relationship between them.
