Overview
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a state visit to Bhutan on November 11–12.
- Modi and King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck will jointly inaugurate the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II hydropower project, a joint India–Bhutan venture expected to boost Bhutan’s electricity exports to India.
- During the visit, Modi will meet Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, attend the 70th-birthday celebrations of former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, offer prayers to the Piprahwa relics at Tashichhodzong, and join the Global Peace Prayer Festival.
- The agenda includes a review of progress on the first India–Bhutan rail links, the Kokrajhar–Gelephu line estimated at Rs 3,456 crore over four years and the Banarhat–Samtse line estimated at Rs 577 crore over three years.
- India has committed Rs 10,000 crore to Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan for 2024–29, reinforcing New Delhi’s status as Thimphu’s largest development and trade partner.