In a heartfelt tribute during the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an “elder brother,” a “mentor,” and even a “spiritual leader.” The two leaders met on the sidelines of the summit, underscoring the warmth and strength of India-Bhutan relations.
Speaking to Indian news agency ANI, Tobgay expressed deep admiration for Modi, saying, “I consider PM Modi as my elder brother. He guides me, so I consider him as my mentor, and every meeting with him is very special.”
Tobgay went further, describing the Indian Prime Minister in spiritual terms. Reflecting on Modi’s recent podcast interview with American host Lex Fridman, the Bhutanese leader said he felt like he was listening to a “spiritual master.”
“I listened to the Lex Fridman interview with Prime Minister Modi in both English and Hindi—even though I don’t understand too much Hindi. I wanted to hear it in its original form. I reported to the Prime Minister that I saw a spiritual leader in that conversation. It was very spiritually fulfilling,” Tobgay said.
Beyond personal admiration, Tobgay also acknowledged India’s pivotal role in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
“India is the biggest country, the most populous Member State, the biggest economy, and the most powerful nation in the BIMSTEC region. We look forward to India’s continued leadership under Prime Minister Modi, and it’s clear he is exercising that leadership effectively,” Tobgay noted.
In response to the meeting, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the strong bilateral relationship between India and Bhutan, noting that the two countries are collaborating in various sectors. He reiterated that India’s friendship with Bhutan remains “robust and enduring.”
The exchange between the two leaders highlights the growing regional solidarity under BIMSTEC and reaffirms the strategic and cultural closeness between India and Bhutan—a partnership rooted in trust, shared values, and mutual respect.
