Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to New Delhi on Wednesday after completing a two-day state visit to Bhutan that focused on expanding cooperation in energy, technology, connectivity and sustainable development. The visit was filled with high-level meetings, major announcements and several symbolic moments that highlighted the closeness between the two countries.

At the airport, Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck personally accompanied PM Modi, a gesture that reflected the deep trust and warmth between India and Bhutan.

"PM Narendra Modi has emplaned for New Delhi after concluding a productive State visit to Bhutan. In a special gesture, His Majesty, the King of Bhutan, came to see off PM at the airport. This visit will further deepen the India-Bhutan bilateral friendship and advance cooperation in various areas," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a post on X.

During his visit, PM Modi attended the 70th birthday celebrations of Bhutan’s Fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, where thousands gathered to mark the occasion.

He also joined the Global Peace Prayer Festival 2025, led by the Je Khenpo, Bhutan’s Chief Abbot, which brought together over 30,000 people including international guests and Buddhist scholars.,

PM Modi met both the current King and the Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay for wide-ranging talks on trade, energy, technology, regional issues and future collaboration.

A key moment of the trip came when PM Modi and the King jointly inaugurated the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project, attended by many dignitaries and the sacred Holy Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha.

The leaders celebrated the start of electricity exports from the project to India, calling it a strong symbol of their successful energy partnership.

Both sides also welcomed the resumption of work on the main dam of the 1200 MW Punatsangchhu-I project, expressing hope for its early completion. The MEA said it will become the largest joint hydroelectric venture between the two countries.

PM Modi assured Bhutan of India’s complete support for its 13th Five-Year Plan and Economic Stimulus Programme. He also announced that India would set up an Immigration Check Post at Hatisar in Assam to make travel easier for investors and visitors to Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City, a flagship project of the Bhutanese King.

Under the 13th Five-Year Plan, India has pledged financial assistance of Rs 10,000 crore to Bhutan.

According to the Indian Embassy in Thimphu, Rs 7,000 crore will go towards Project Tied Assistance projects, Rs 1,000 crore for High Impact Community Development Projects, Rs 1,500 crore for Bhutan’s Economic Stimulus Programme, and Rs 500 crore for Programme Grant.

Bhutan also welcomed India’s announcement of a Rs 40 billion concessional Line of Credit for energy and infrastructure projects.

The visit also gave a major push to cross-border connectivity. Both nations welcomed the recent operationalisation of the Immigration Check Post at Darranga in November 2024 and the upcoming Inland Waterways Terminal and Multimodal Logistics Park at Jogigopha in March 2025.

They also noted the signing of MoUs in September 2025 for new railway links between Gelephu and Kokrajhar, and between Samtse and Banarhat, with a Project Steering Committee already formed to monitor progress, according to the MEA.

PM Modi praised Bhutan’s work on the Gelephu Mindfulness City, saying it fits perfectly with India’s Act East Policy, and thanked the country for its cooperation in building Gyalsung academies.

On the cultural front, PM Modi joined the King of Bhutan and the Fourth Druk Gyalpo for the Kalachakra ‘Wheel of Time’ empowerment ceremony at the Changlimithang Stadium during the Global Peace Prayer Festival.

"Had the honour of inaugurating Kalacakra 'Wheel of Time' Empowerment with His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan and His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. It was presided over by His Holiness the Je Khenpo, which made it even more special. This is an important ritual with great cultural significance for Buddhists around the world. The Kalacakra Empowerment is a part of the ongoing Global Peace Prayer Festival, which has brought together devotees and scholars of Buddhism to Bhutan," PM Modi posted on X.

"PM Narendra Modi joined His Majesty, the King of Bhutan and His Majesty, the Fourth King of Bhutan, at the Kalachakra 'Wheel of Time' empowerment initiation at Changlimithang Stadium, as part of the ongoing Global Peace Prayer Festival in Thimphu. Over 30,000 people, including visitors from abroad, were present at the sacred event. The prayers were presided over by His Holiness the Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot of Bhutan," the MEA stated on X.

PM Modi also had a warm meeting with the Fourth King, where he thanked him for his lifelong contribution to strengthening India-Bhutan friendship and discussed areas of continued cooperation.

Three key MoUs were signed during the visit, covering renewable energy, health and mental health collaboration between Bhutan’s PEMA Secretariat and India’s National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences.

Both sides also expressed satisfaction with the growing cooperation in technology, fintech and space. The second phase of UPI rollout was especially appreciated, as it now allows Bhutanese tourists to make QR code payments in India using their local apps.

The leaders also welcomed the progress on the Joint Plan of Action on Space Cooperation and celebrated the consecration of the Royal Bhutan Temple in Rajgir. India also announced it would allocate land in Varanasi for a Bhutanese temple and guesthouse.

Bhutan’s King expressed condolences over the tragic explosion in Delhi on November 10, and PM Modi thanked him for Bhutan’s solidarity.

As PM Modi departed, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to regular high-level exchanges based on mutual trust, respect and strong people-to-people ties.

"The visit reaffirmed the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries, and the two sides agreed to continue it in the future," the MEA said.