- विज्ञापन -
New Delhi: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan is set to arrive in India today for a two-day official visit, during which he will meet with Indian leaders to discuss and review bilateral relations.
Accompanied by Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck and senior officials from the Royal Government of Bhutan, the visit highlights the strong ties and mutual respect shared between the two neighboring countries, as noted in a press release from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
During his stay, the King will hold discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding another chapter to the ongoing high-level interactions between India and Bhutan. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and other senior Indian officials are also expected to meet with His Majesty. These discussions aim to strengthen existing partnerships and explore new opportunities for collaboration.
India and Bhutan enjoy a unique and exemplary relationship built on mutual trust and goodwill, with roots tracing back to 1949 when the two countries signed the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, which was updated in February 2007. Formal diplomatic relations were established in 1968, further reinforcing this enduring partnership.
A notable aspect of their relationship is the economic interdependence, with nearly 50,000 Indian citizens employed in Bhutan across various sectors such as construction, education, and infrastructure. Many Indian workers commute daily to Bhutan’s border towns, reflecting the depth of cooperation and shared prosperity.
In recent years, the scope of collaboration has broadened beyond traditional sectors like hydropower to include emerging fields such as digital infrastructure, education, and space technology. Bhutan was the second country to adopt the BHIM App, enhancing financial connectivity, while India has supported Bhutan’s “Digital Drukyul” initiative, aimed at establishing a comprehensive optical fibre network across all 20 districts.
Space cooperation has also progressed, with the jointly developed “India-Bhutan SAT” launched in November 2022 following the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Bhutan in 2019. This initiative, along with other technological partnerships, highlights the evolving nature of their bilateral relationship.
In education, India continues to assist Bhutan in addressing the shortage of STEM teachers, thereby enhancing the country’s human resource capabilities. The King’s visit offers a chance to review and advance these initiatives, further strengthening their long-standing friendship and exploring new avenues for collaboration between India and Bhutan.
