Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Bhutan on Tuesday on a two-day visit to strengthen bilateral ties and inaugurate a mega hydropower project jointly developed by the two countries.
Modi is scheduled to meet Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and hold wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay during the visit from November 11 to 12.
The Prime Minister will also attend the 70th birth anniversary celebrations of Jigme Singye Wangchuk, the former King of Bhutan.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday that “the visit seeks to strengthen the distinguished relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.”
She added that Modi and King Wangchuk will jointly inaugurate the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II hydropower project jointly developed by India and Bhutan.
The agency said that the Prime Minister will attend celebrations dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the birth of Jigme Singye Wangchuk, the fourth king of Bhutan.
“India and Bhutan share a unique and exemplary partnership characterized by deep mutual trust, goodwill and respect for each other,” she said.
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Modi’s visit also coincides with the display of the holy Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha, which were sent to Bhutan from India.
The Middle East News Agency said that he will pray at the holy relics at Tachichodzong in Thimphu and participate in the World Peace Prayer Festival organized by the Bhutan government.
“The shared spiritual heritage and warm relations between the two peoples are the hallmark of the special partnership,” the Foreign Ministry said.
The statement added, “The Prime Minister’s visit will provide an opportunity for the two sides to deliberate on ways to enhance and strengthen our bilateral partnership, and to exchange views on regional and broader issues of common interest.”
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Relations between India and Bhutan are improving significantly.
In September, India unveiled its plan to build two cross-border train lines with Bhutan at a cost of over Rs 4,000 crore, in the first of its kind rail link project with the Himalayan nation.
Under this initiative, new railway lines will be constructed between the cities of Gelephu, Samts and Kokrajhar in Assam and Banarhat in West Bengal in Bhutan.
(Tags for translation) Narendra Modi Bhutan Visit
