Overview
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has departed for a November 11–12 state visit to Bhutan that includes attending the Fourth King’s 70th birthday and the Global Peace Prayer Festival.
- The visit features a planned joint inauguration with King Jigme Khesar of the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II hydropower project, a key milestone in the two countries’ clean-energy cooperation.
- Modi will meet Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay for talks reviewing priority initiatives, including two cross-border rail links between Kokrajhar–Gelephu and Banarhat–Samtse.
- India remains Bhutan’s principal development partner with a Nu/Rs 10,000 crore grant committed for Bhutan’s 13th Five Year Plan covering 2024–2029.
- The Buddha relics from Piprahwa are on public display in Thimphu from November 8–18, and Modi will offer prayers at Tashichhodzong as part of a wider cultural and spiritual outreach.