External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday received a warm welcome from Bhutanese Finance Minister Lyonpo Lekey Dorji as he arrived in Thimphu for a two-day official visit focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation…reports Asian Lite News
Jaishankar thanked Dorji for the welcome in a post on X, saying, “Thank Finance Minister Bhutan Lyonpo Lekey Dorji for the warm welcome in Thimphu.”
During his visit, Jaishankar has held engagements covering development partnership, energy, trade, connectivity, culture and people-to-people ties between India and Bhutan.
On Wednesday, Jaishankar visited the sacred Kurjey Lhakhang in Bumthang and offered prayers for the well-being of the people and India-Bhutan relations.
“Paid my respects at the sacred Kurjey Lhakhang. Prayed for the well-being of our people and India-Bhutan ties,” he posted on X.
Jaishankar, along with Bhutanese Foreign Minister Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel, also visited the National Cattle Breeding Centre in Bumthang, where he handed over 43 pureline Jersey cows from India for Bhutan’s dairy cattle breeding programme.
“Visited the National Cattle Breeding Centre in Bumthang. Handed over 43 pureline Jersey cows from India for dairy cattle breeding programme in Bhutan to enhance milk productivity and support local farmers. Glad to learn that the Centre’s breeding program will benefit forty thousand farmers,” Jaishankar said.
The two ministers also visited the historic Wangduechhoeling Palace and Museum in Bumthang.
“Delighted to visit the historic Wangduechhoeling Palace and Museum in Bumthang today. The former royal residence and court showcases Bhutan’s history, art, craft and architecture. It is a testimony to the role of Bhutanese monarchy in building a modern Bhutan,” Jaishankar posted.
Jaishankar and Dhungyel also laid the foundation stone for the 500 KW Lunana Hydropower Project in Gasa. Jaishankar described the project as a “proud milestone” in the longstanding energy cooperation between India and Bhutan.
The partnership in the hydropower sector dates back to Bhutan’s first hydroelectric plant, Jungshina in Thimphu, which was established in 1967. The two countries have continued to cooperate on projects aimed at expanding Bhutan’s energy infrastructure.
The ministers also inaugurated the 65-bedded Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital in Mongar. Jaishankar said the facility would strengthen access to specialised maternal and child healthcare in eastern Bhutan.
In Samdrup Jongkhar, they inaugurated the 80-metre-long Jaganathan Bridge, built by Project Dantak, the Bhutan-India friendship project. Jaishankar said the bridge would improve connectivity between Trashigang and Samdrup Jongkhar in eastern Bhutan.
The two ministers also held discussions in Bumthang to review cooperation between the neighbouring countries.
“Delighted to meet FM Bhutan Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel and jointly review our wide-ranging cooperation. Thank him for hosting me in the spiritual and historical centre of Bumthang. Our conversation focussed on advancing our multifaceted engagement in development partnership, energy, trade, connectivity, culture and people-to-people ties. Today’s discussions reflected the trust, goodwill and warmth of our ties,” Jaishankar posted on X.
Jaishankar’s Bhutan visit comes as India and Bhutan continue to expand cooperation across development, infrastructure, energy, healthcare, agriculture and connectivity.
