During his meeting with Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in New Delhi on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed India’s strong commitment to Bhutan’s economic development, emphasizing the doubling of India’s development support to the neighboring country for its 13th Five-Year Plan period. It is a pleasure to welcome the Bhutanese King and Queen to India.
Respect His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck’s plans for the advancement of Bhutan and the growth of the region. Following his meeting with the King of Bhutan, PM Modi wrote on X, “We are still dedicated to strengthening the special and long-lasting partnership between India and Bhutan.”
The PMO released a statement reiterating New Delhi’s commitment to further strengthening the excellent partnership across all sectors. “The leaders reviewed the progress made in improving economic connectivity between the two countries and exchanged ideas on the Gelephu Mindfulness City initiative, a visionary project spearheaded by His Majesty to catalyze Bhutan’s development and strengthen linkages with adjoining border areas in India,” the statement read.
According to the report, the Bhutan King thanked the Prime Minister and the Indian populace for their unwavering support of Bhutan’s goals for happiness, development, and prosperity. Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, the Queen of Bhutan, and Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck were welcomed.
During his state visit in March 2024, PM Modi also reminisced over the “exceptionally warm hospitality” that the Bhutanese government and people had shown him.
In honor of the visiting King and Queen, the Prime Minister hosted a lunch after the talks. The PMO said, “The meeting reflected the spirit of mutual trust, cooperation, and profound understanding that underpins the bilateral relations between the two countries, and underscored the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan.”
During his visit to Bhutan earlier this year, Prime Minister Modi expressed his admiration for the Bhutanese King’s vision of the Gelephu Mindfulness City, which will further strengthen India-Bhutan economic and investment ties while fostering sustainable economic prosperity and development in Bhutan and the region.
“We will soon see these projects finished quickly, whether it’s a new airport for improved air connectivity, new train connections between Gelephu and Kokrajhar and Samtse and Banarhat, or the operation of waterways across the Brahmaputra. In Thimphu on March 22, 2024, PM Modi received the King of Bhutan’s highest national award, the “Order of the Druk Gyalpo,” and stated, “Integrated Check Posts will also be built to strengthen trade infrastructure.”
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) conducted the Final Location Survey (FLS) of the two rail links in consultation with the Bhutanese side, and the two sides also noted the progress made toward the establishment of Banarhat (West Bengal)-Samtse (Bhutan) and Kokrajhar (Assam)-Gelephu (Bhutan).
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