Bhutan is set to warmly welcome the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, who arrives today on a two-day state visit to join the nation in celebrating the 70th birth anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The visit reflects the enduring friendship, respect, and spiritual connection that continue to bind Bhutan and India in a relationship that has flourished over decades.
During the visit, Prime Minister Modi will hold an audience with His Majesty The King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, and meet with Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay. One of the major highlights of the visit will be the joint inauguration of the 1,020-MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project, a symbol of the close energy partnership that has long supported Bhutan’s economic progress and India’s sustainable energy goals.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs of India described the visit as a “special gesture” to honour the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, whose visionary leadership from 1974 to 2006 laid the foundation for Bhutan’s modern development and deepened its ties with India across areas such as energy, trade, and security.
The visit coincides with the exposition of the sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha from India, which are currently being displayed in Bhutan for public veneration. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to offer prayers to the holy relics at Tashichhodzong and participate in the Global Peace Prayer Festival, organised by the Royal Government of Bhutan — a symbolic event celebrating the nations’ shared Buddhist heritage and message of peace.
In addition to commemorating the Fourth Druk Gyalpo’s birthday, discussions between the two governments are expected to explore new frontiers of cooperation, including fintech, innovation, entrepreneurship, and space technology. Strengthening connectivity through proposed rail links and inland waterways will also be on the agenda, reflecting both countries’ commitment to broadening economic and people-to-people linkages.
The Indian foreign ministry emphasised that the visit would “further strengthen the unique and exemplary partnership marked by deep mutual trust, goodwill, and respect.”
As Bhutan celebrates this joyous occasion, the visit of Prime Minister Modi reaffirms the special bond between the two nations — a friendship rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and the visionary guidance of leaders who have nurtured it over generations. The celebrations of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo’s 70th birth anniversary thus serve not only as a national moment of gratitude but also as a reminder of the enduring partnership that continues to shape the destiny of Bhutan and India.
