India and Bhutan reviewed all aspects of bilateral ties and commended progress in development cooperation during External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to the country.
asserted
India → review → country
Mr. Jaishankar arrived in Bhutan on Wednesday (September 18, 2026) on a two-day official visit aiming to further strengthen the bilateral ties and cooperation between the two countries.
asserted
Jaishankar → arrive → countries
During the visit, Mr. Jaishankar received an audience with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, called on Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, and held talks with his Bhutanese counterpart D. N. Dhungyel.
asserted
Jaishankar → receive → counterpart
Deeply value his guidance to further deepen the unique friendship between India and Bhutan," Mr. Jaishankar posted on X after meeting the King on Thursday (September 17, 2026).
“The two sides reviewed all aspects of bilateral cooperation, as well as other regional and international issues of mutual importance,” according to a joint press release issued on Friday (September 18, 2026).
uncertain
sides → value → Friday
They appreciated the progress in strengthening the “special and multi-faceted India-Bhutan partnership”.
asserted
They → appreciate → partnership
“The two sides commended the progress in bilateral development cooperation,” it said.
asserted
it → commend → cooperation
Mr. Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s support for Bhutan’s developmental goals and priorities, while Bhutan appreciated India’s support for wide-ranging programmes under its 13th Five Year Plan (2024-29).
asserted
Bhutan → reaffirm → Plan
The E.A.M. discussed advancing multifaceted engagement in development partnership, energy, trade, connectivity, culture and people-to-people ties with his Bhutanese counterpart.
asserted
E.A.M. → discuss → counterpart
He inaugurated several projects during his visit, including the 65-bed Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital in Mongar.
He also laid the foundation stone for the 500 KW Lunana Hydropower Project in Gasa, northern Bhutan.
asserted
He → inaugurate → Gasa
Mr. Jaishankar handed over 43 Jersey cows from India to the National Cattle Breeding Centre in Bumthang and 54 electric vehicles to the Royal Government of Bhutan.
asserted
Jaishankar → hand → Bhutan
The two ministers welcomed the operationalisation of a Unified Payments Interface (UPI)-based facility that will enable Bhutanese nationals to make digital payments in India using Bhutanese mobile applications.
asserted
that → welcome → applications
The two sides also discussed ongoing cooperation in the space sector and encouraged engagement on satellite data applications in areas such as monitoring glaciers, forest resources, floods and agriculture.
asserted
sides → discuss → glaciers
Mr. Jaishankar reaffirmed the Government of India’s support for the Bhutanese King’s vision for the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), with the two sides agreeing to continue efforts to develop collaboration on GMC-related issues.
asserted
sides → reaffirm → issues
The ministers also expressed satisfaction at the implementation of the Joint Vision on Energy Partnership of March 2024.
asserted
ministers → express → March
They welcomed the signing of an agreement on a concessional Line of Credit of ₹4,000 crore for energy projects in Bhutan and commended the active engagement of Indian companies in hydropower projects in the country, saying it was adding dynamism to existing energy cooperation.
asserted
it → welcome → cooperation
India reaffirmed its commitment to establish an Immigration Check Post at Hatisar in Assam to facilitate the movement of investors and visitors to Gelephu, as announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Bhutan in November 2025.
asserted
India → reaffirm → November
The two sides welcomed the recent operationalisation of a new Land Customs Station in Samrang, Assam, reflecting joint efforts to expand cross-border connectivity, infrastructure and facilities.
asserted
sides → welcome → connectivity
They reviewed progress on the establishment of cross-border rail links between Gelephu and Kokrajhar and Samtse and Banarhat.
asserted
They → review → Gelephu
The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global developments and recognised the significance of close bilateral ties amid the complex international environment.
asserted
sides → exchange → environment
India thanked Bhutan for its support for its candidature for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2028-2029 term.
asserted
India → thank → term
It also appreciated Bhutan’s ratification of the Framework Agreement of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).
asserted
It → appreciate → Alliance
Mr. Jaishankar’s visit was in line with the longstanding tradition of close engagement and cooperation between the two countries, according to the release.
uncertain
visit → accord → release
Mr. Jaishankar invited Dhungyel to visit India at his earliest convenience.
asserted
Jaishankar → invite → convenience
The Aporia
