PM Modi meets Bhutan’s Kings, Inaugurates Kalachakra ceremony, reinforces ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met Bhutan’s fourth and former King, Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and jointly inaugurated the Kalachakra Empowerment ceremony in Thimphu, reaffirming the deep spiritual, cultural, and developmental ties between India and Bhutan.

At the invitation of His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan, the Prime Minister was on a two-day State Visit to Bhutan from November 11 to 12. During the visit, he joined the Bhutanese people in celebrating the 70th birth anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo as the Guest of Honour at the Changlimithang Stadium and took part in the Global Peace Prayer Festival 2025.

The Kalachakra, meaning “Wheel of Time,” is one of Tibetan Buddhism’s most sacred rituals. The three-day empowerment ceremony, led by Bhutan’s Je Khenpo, confers blessings and authorisations for advanced meditative practices aimed at achieving enlightenment and universal peace. By attending the event, PM Modi underscored India’s respect for Bhutan’s Buddhist heritage, which traces its roots to India’s ancient Nalanda tradition.

His Majesty the King of Bhutan appreciated the presence of the Holy Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha from India for public veneration during the festival, symbolising the shared spiritual legacy between the two nations.

During the visit, PM Modi held wide-ranging discussions with His Majesty the King and His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, as well as with Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay. The talks covered cooperation in energy, defence, technology, connectivity, and health, as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest.

Prime Minister Modi and King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck jointly inaugurated the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project, which the Indian leader described as an “enduring symbol of friendship” between the two countries. Both sides welcomed the commencement of electricity exports to India and the progress on the Joint Vision on Energy Partnership signed in March 2024. They also agreed to expedite work on the Punatsangchhu-I project, which will become the largest hydropower project jointly developed by India and Bhutan. The funding for both projects comes fully from India in the form of grants and loans, underscoring India’s continued support for Bhutan’s energy infrastructure and bilateral cooperation.

India announced a ₹4,000 crore concessional line of credit to support Bhutan’s energy projects and reaffirmed support for the country’s 13th Five Year Plan and Economic Stimulus Programme. PM Modi also backed His Majesty’s vision for the Gelephu Mindfulness City and announced the establishment of an immigration checkpoint at Hatisar in Assam to facilitate cross-border movement.

Both sides welcomed growing cooperation in STEM, fintech, and space, and appreciated India’s assistance in education, health, and the uninterrupted supply of essential commodities and fertilisers. Three MoUs were signed in the fields of renewable energy, health and medicine, and mental health cooperation.

The Kalachakra ceremony and the Global Peace Prayer Festival stood as powerful expressions of India–Bhutan friendship blending faith and development, spirituality and sustainability. The visit reaffirmed the enduring partnership built on trust, mutual respect, and shared values of peace and compassion.