Prime Minister of Bhutan Dasho Tshering Tobgay paid an official visit to India from 20-21st February, 2025 to participate in the inaugural Leadership Conclave of the School of Ultimate Leadership (SOUL) that was held in Bharat Mandapam, Delhi. The premier leadership conclave was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India and Bhutan have been enjoying exemplary ties of friendship that is based on mutual trust, understanding, and good will. The consistent high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan are testimony to their special partnership.
The first edition of SOUL Leadership Conclave that was held from 21-22nd February aimed at fostering an ecosystem of collaboration and thought leadership by bringing together distinguished leaders from various sectors. To that end, Prime Minister Modi during his inaugural address at India’s premier leadership conclave said “For nation building, development of better citizens is essential. Nation building starts from individual development, world from people, if one wants to attain any height or achieve greatness, then the beginning starts from the people only. Development of the best leaders is vital in every sector, and the need of hour. And therefore, the establishment of The School of Ultimate Leadership is a very important and very big step in the development journey of developed India. I heartily congratulate all the colleagues associated with this mission; all the great people associated with this institute. Very soon a huge campus of The School of Ultimate Leadership is going to be ready near Gift City”.
Prime Minister Tobgay reciprocated by saying, “Prime Minister, my elder brother, every time I have the opportunity of meeting you, I am overcome with joy. Your Excellency, Prime Minister, my mentor, every time I meet you, I am inspired to work even harder as a public servant. Today is an important day in Bhutan as it is the birth anniversary of His Majesty the King. I am delighted to celebrate this auspicious occasion in India among friends led by the Honourable Prime Minister and all the distinguished guests here”.
The leadership summit witnessed the participation of skilled leaders from different walks of life including former Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, former Governor of Reserve Bank of India, Shaktikanta Das, Indian Chess Grandmaster, D Gukesh, and Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, Sunil Bharti Mittal among many others. The conclave provided a platform for exchanging leadership skills and transformative insights from the personal journeys of all the distinguished leaders who were present there. The speakers discussed pivotal moments in their careers, focussing on leadership, training, innovation, and resilience. To that end, Prime Minister Modi also highlighted that the SOUL leadership summit would play a crucial role in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat.
Additionally, Prime Minister Tobgay also held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi and discussed key areas of cooperation between India and Bhutan. Taking to X, Prime Minister Modi shared, “Pleasure to once again meet my friend PM Tshering Tobgay. Appreciate his address at the Leadership Conclave @LeadWithSOUL. We remain committed to deepening the unique and historical partnership between India and Bhutan”, @tsheringtobgay”.
Thereafter, several senior Indian officials including Minister of Railways Mr. Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju, and Minister of State for External Affairs Mr. Pabitra Margherita called on the Prime Minister of Bhutan.
