Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking in Thimphu on Tuesday, reaffirmed India’s commitment to deepening connectivity, enhancing border infrastructure, and expanding its long-standing energy partnership with Bhutan. The remarks came during his visit to mark the 70th birth anniversary of Bhutan’s former king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, whose contributions to India–Bhutan relations and Bhutan’s democratic evolution Modi publicly recognised.

Modi emphasised that improved connectivity is central to unlocking new economic opportunities. He highlighted India’s decision to link the Bhutanese cities of Gelephu and Samtse with the Indian railway network, a move expected to significantly enhance market access for Bhutanese industries and farmers. Alongside rail links, progress continues on road projects and border infrastructure upgrades, with India also supporting Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City, a major development initiative of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Modi announced that India will establish an immigration checkpoint near Gelephu to facilitate investor and visitor movement.

A substantial component of the bilateral partnership remains energy cooperation. Modi’s visit includes the inauguration of a 1,020-megawatt hydroelectric project that will increase Bhutan’s total hydropower capacity by 40 percent. He noted that work will also resume on a long-delayed hydroelectric project, and that India and Bhutan are broadening collaboration to include solar energy. Bhutan’s hydropower production has been central to its achieving carbon-negative status, and it remains among the world’s leaders in per-capita renewable energy generation.

India has contributed ₹10,000 crore to Bhutan’s current five-year plan, supporting projects in roads, agriculture, healthcare, and financial services. Modi said the two countries’ prosperity is interconnected and that India has taken several steps to maintain uninterrupted supply chains for essential goods to Bhutan.

Technology and youth cooperation also featured prominently in Modi’s address. The Unified Payment Interface system is being expanded in Bhutan, and Indian and Bhutanese students are collaborating on satellite development. Joint initiatives are underway in education, innovation, skill development, sports, space, and cultural exchanges.

Modi paid tribute to Jigme Singye Wangchuck’s global influence through his concept of Gross National Happiness, a framework that has shaped international discussions on development and wellbeing. He also noted growing cultural ties, pointing to the inauguration of the Royal Bhutanese Temple in Rajgir and India’s support for establishing a Bhutanese temple and guesthouse in Varanasi.

Modi’s visit reaffirmed the strength and breadth of India–Bhutan relations, grounded in shared history, mutual trust, and expanding avenues of cooperation spanning infrastructure, energy, culture, and youth engagement.