Jaishankar in Bhutan for High-Level Talks to Strengthen India-Bhutan Ties

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar began his visit to Bhutan on Wednesday for high-level talks aimed at further strengthening India’s close ties with the Himalayan kingdom.

Jaishankar is visiting Bhutan at the invitation of Bhutan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel. During the visit, he is holding bilateral talks with Dhungyel and is scheduled to receive a royal audience with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and call on Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.

The visit is part of the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan and is aimed at advancing the longstanding friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Jaishankar’s visit comes amid sustained engagement between New Delhi and Thimphu across several areas, including development, energy, water resources, connectivity and emerging technologies.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Bhutan in July for development cooperation talks, during which the two sides discussed Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan and its development priorities. India has also extended a ₹4,000-crore concessional line of credit to support Bhutan’s development projects.

Water and energy cooperation remain important components of the bilateral relationship. Recent discussions have included trans-border river management, flood forecasting and hydrological data sharing, areas of particular significance given the two countries’ shared river systems.

India and Bhutan have also deepened cooperation in hydropower, renewable energy, health, connectivity and digital technology. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2025 visit to Bhutan, the 1,020-MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project was inaugurated, while the two sides agreed to resume work on the Punatsangchhu-I project.

The broader partnership also covers economic and connectivity initiatives linked to Bhutan’s planned Gelephu Special Administrative Region, along with cooperation in digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence and green energy.

Jaishankar’s meetings are expected to provide an opportunity for both sides to review these areas of cooperation and discuss ways to further advance the India-Bhutan partnership.