Bhutan King arriving on two-day visit to India to further deepen bilateral cooperation
| 2024-12-04
Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Paro airport on March 23, 2024.
India and Bhutan enjoy unique ties of friendship and cooperation, says MEA
Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck will pay a two-day visit to India beginning Thursday (December 5, 2024) to further advance the already close bilateral partnership between the two nations. He will be accompanied by Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck and senior officials of the Bhutanese government, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, announcing the trip on Wednesday (December 4, 2024).
In New Delhi, the Bhutan King will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Their discussions are likely to focus on steps to further deepen bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and senior Indian government officials will call on the King of Bhutan.
"India and Bhutan enjoy unique ties of friendship and cooperation, which are characterised by mutual understanding and trust," the MEA said.
Bilateral ties between the two countries received a boost after Prime Minister Modi visited Bhutan earlier this year. Meeting in Thimphu on March 22, 2024, Prime Minister Modi and Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck discussed ways to further strengthen the transformative partnership between the two nations.
“They explored initiatives to expand bilateral collaboration in the fields of energy, development cooperation, youth, education, entrepreneurship and skill development. The two leaders also discussed progress in connectivity and investment proposals including in the context of the Gelephu Mindfulness City project,” the MEA said.
While in Thimphu, Prime Minister Modi also held talks with Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay; the two leaders decided to provide an impetus to the development partnership between the two nations. This was the second meeting between the two leaders in less than 10 days; they earlier met in New Delhi on March 14, 2024.
According to the 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.
A Joint Statement on Prime Minister Modi’s said India and Bhutan agreed to continue with close coordination and cooperation with each other on issues relating to their national interests. The two sides also decided to pursue a “transformative partnership” while continuing their clean energy cooperation and strengthening trade and investment linkages.
Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated a state-of-the-art mother and child hospital in Thimphu on March 23, 2024. The development of the 150-bedded Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck Mother and Child Hospital has been supported by the Indian government.
India has consistently supported Bhutan’s socio-economic development by contributing to its 5-Year Plans since the early 1960s.
The basic framework of India-Bhutan relations is the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949, and revised in 2007. India established diplomatic ties with Bhutan by setting up a special office in Thimphu in 1968. This relationship, characterized by profound mutual trust, goodwill, and understanding, has been nurtured through regular high-level visits, symbolizing the strong bond between the two countries.
In June 2014, Prime Minister Modi was on a state visit to Bhutan in his visit abroad after assuming office. He followed this up with another visit in August 2019, where he launched four major bilateral projects. The King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck's visits to India have also played a key role in reinforcing bilateral ties.
In New Delhi, the Bhutan King will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Their discussions are likely to focus on steps to further deepen bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and senior Indian government officials will call on the King of Bhutan.
"India and Bhutan enjoy unique ties of friendship and cooperation, which are characterised by mutual understanding and trust," the MEA said.
Bilateral ties between the two countries received a boost after Prime Minister Modi visited Bhutan earlier this year. Meeting in Thimphu on March 22, 2024, Prime Minister Modi and Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck discussed ways to further strengthen the transformative partnership between the two nations.
“They explored initiatives to expand bilateral collaboration in the fields of energy, development cooperation, youth, education, entrepreneurship and skill development. The two leaders also discussed progress in connectivity and investment proposals including in the context of the Gelephu Mindfulness City project,” the MEA said.
While in Thimphu, Prime Minister Modi also held talks with Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay; the two leaders decided to provide an impetus to the development partnership between the two nations. This was the second meeting between the two leaders in less than 10 days; they earlier met in New Delhi on March 14, 2024.
According to the 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.
A Joint Statement on Prime Minister Modi’s said India and Bhutan agreed to continue with close coordination and cooperation with each other on issues relating to their national interests. The two sides also decided to pursue a “transformative partnership” while continuing their clean energy cooperation and strengthening trade and investment linkages.
Prime Minister Modi also inaugurated a state-of-the-art mother and child hospital in Thimphu on March 23, 2024. The development of the 150-bedded Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck Mother and Child Hospital has been supported by the Indian government.
India has consistently supported Bhutan’s socio-economic development by contributing to its 5-Year Plans since the early 1960s.
The basic framework of India-Bhutan relations is the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949, and revised in 2007. India established diplomatic ties with Bhutan by setting up a special office in Thimphu in 1968. This relationship, characterized by profound mutual trust, goodwill, and understanding, has been nurtured through regular high-level visits, symbolizing the strong bond between the two countries.
In June 2014, Prime Minister Modi was on a state visit to Bhutan in his visit abroad after assuming office. He followed this up with another visit in August 2019, where he launched four major bilateral projects. The King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck's visits to India have also played a key role in reinforcing bilateral ties.
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