Focus on cooperation in sectors like renewable energy, agriculture, environment and forestry, and tourism
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay have decided to provide an impetus to the development partnership between the two nations. 
 
During talks held in Thimphu after Prime Minister Modi arrived on a state visit to Bhutan on Friday (March 22, 2024), the two leaders reviewed the complete range of the India-Bhutan friendship.
 
Prime Minister Modi was initially scheduled to arrive on March 21, 2024 but this was postponed due to bad weather over Paro airport, where he was scheduled to land.
 
"In Bhutan, held productive talks with PM @tsheringtobgay. We reviewed the complete range of India-Bhutan friendship, and agreed to boost our developmental partnership as well as deepen cultural linkages," Prime Minister Modi posted on social media platform X. 
 
Incidentally, this is the second meeting between the two leaders in less than 10 days; they met in New Delhi on March 14, 2024.
 
According to information released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two leaders held discussions on various aspects of the multi- faceted bilateral relations and forged an understanding to further enhance cooperation in sectors such as renewable energy, agriculture, youth exchange, environment and forestry, and tourism. 
 
India and Bhutan enjoy long-standing and exceptional ties characterized by utmost trust, goodwill, and mutual understanding at all levels, the MEA noted.
 
Ahead of the meeting, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Tobgay witnessed exchange of several MoUs/Agreements on energy, trade, digital connectivity, space, agriculture, youth connect among others.
 
These included:
 
1. MoU on general supply of Petroleum, Oil, Lubricants (POL) and related products from India to Bhutan. 
 
2. Agreement for recognition of official control exercised by Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA) by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
 
3. MoU on cooperation in the field of Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation measures.
 
4. MoU on cooperation in Sports and Youth.
 
5. MoU on cooperation concerning sharing reference standard, pharmacopoeia, vigilance and testing of medicinal products.
 
6. Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) on Space Cooperation.
 
7. Renewal of MoU on Peering Arrangement between National Knowledge Network of India (NKN) and Druk Research and Education Network of Bhutan.
 
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi received a warm welcome from Prime Minister Tobgay on his arrival at Paro airport. "Thank you for the warm welcome to Bhutan, PM @tsheringtobgay. May India-Bhutan friendship keep scaling new heights," Prime Minister Modi said on X.
 
He also shared a video on X showing people greeting him on the way from Paro to Thimphu. "A very memorable welcome in Bhutan! Throughout the way, there were several people who had gathered. I cherish their affection greatly," he wrote.