New Delhi, September 16: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is visiting Bhutan on September 16-17 for talks aimed at reviewing and further strengthening bilateral relations between India and Bhutan.
During the two-day visit, Jaishankar will hold discussions with Bhutanese Foreign Minister DN Dhungyel. He is also scheduled to meet Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the visit is part of the regular high-level exchanges between the two neighbouring countries and is intended to strengthen their longstanding ties of friendship and cooperation.
Jaishankar’s visit comes nearly two months after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri travelled to Bhutan in July. During that visit, the Exim Bank of India and Bhutan’s finance ministry signed an agreement for a concessional line of credit worth ₹4,000 crore.
Misri’s visit also included discussions on India-Bhutan development cooperation, with a focus on Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan. India has committed ₹10,000 crore towards Bhutan’s development plan for the 2024-2029 period.
New Delhi has also extended financial support for Bhutan’s Economic Stimulus Programme, including ₹750 crore, along with a programme grant of ₹100 crore.
Connectivity and infrastructure are expected to remain important areas of India-Bhutan cooperation. Last year, India announced plans to build the first two cross-border railway links between the two countries at an estimated cost of ₹4,033 crore. The proposed links are aimed at improving regional connectivity and supporting greater economic integration and trade.
The railway projects are part of broader efforts to strengthen physical and economic links between the two Himalayan neighbours. India and Bhutan have maintained close cooperation across development, infrastructure, trade, energy and regional connectivity.
Jaishankar’s meetings with Bhutanese leaders are expected to provide an opportunity to review ongoing projects as well as discuss areas for further cooperation. The two sides are also likely to exchange views on issues of mutual interest and developments in the wider region.
Bhutan remains an important neighbour for India, and regular high-level engagements between the two countries have continued as both sides work on development and connectivity initiatives.
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