In a significant diplomatic engagement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Bhutan’s Fourth King, commending his consistent dedication to nurturing the robust India-Bhutan friendship. The leaders deliberated on enhancing collaborative efforts in key domains, including energy, trade, technology, and infrastructure connectivity. Prime Minister Modi lauded the ambitious Gelephu Mindfulness City Project, recognizing its strategic importance and its alignment with India’s ‘Act East Policy.’
This high-level interaction occurred shortly after Prime Minister Modi attended a spiritual event with King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, seeking blessings from the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha, a significant gesture from India to mark the Fourth King’s birthday and a global peace festival. This occasion highlighted the deep, shared civilizational and spiritual heritage.
Further underscoring the close ties, celebrations for the 50th anniversary of India-Bhutan diplomatic relations include the launch of a Bhutanese temple construction in India. The display of a statue of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of Bhutan, loaned by an Indian institution, serves as a powerful symbol of their intertwined cultural history. Prime Minister Modi’s consistent engagement, from his initial visit in 2014 to receiving the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, exemplifies the depth and warmth of the bilateral relationship.