External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will visit Bhutan from September 16-17 for talks with the country’s leadership….reports Asian Lite News Desk
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will begin a two-day official visit to Bhutan on Wednesday, September 16, for talks with the country’s leadership and discussions aimed at further strengthening bilateral ties.
Jaishankar is visiting Bhutan at the invitation of Bhutan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.
During the September 16-17 visit, Jaishankar is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with Dhungyel. He will also receive a royal audience with Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and call on Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.
The MEA said the visit reflects the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan and is intended to further strengthen the close relationship between the two countries.
“The visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan, and to further strengthen the existing close ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries,” the ministry said.
The visit comes amid continued high-level and institutional engagement between India and Bhutan, with cooperation covering diplomatic, development and people-centric initiatives.
India and Bhutan have maintained regular engagement through government and institutional exchanges, alongside cooperation on development projects aimed at improving infrastructure and livelihoods at the community level.
Jaishankar’s visit follows a recent visit to Bhutan by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, who travelled to the country earlier this week for a three-day engagement focused on electoral cooperation.
Kumar called on King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in Thimphu on Monday at the beginning of his visit. He also participated in events marking Bhutan’s National Voters’ Day.
“His Majesty, The King with the Chief Election Commissioner of India, Shri Gyanesh Kumar. His Majesty granted an audience today to the Indian Chief Election Commissioner, who is on a 3-day visit to Bhutan,” the Bhutanese King said in a post on Facebook.
According to an official statement, Kumar’s visit is aimed at strengthening institutional cooperation between the Election Commission of India and the Election Commission of Bhutan, building on their ongoing engagement.
One of the key events during the visit was Bhutan’s National Voters’ Day celebration at the Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law in Paro on Tuesday.
Development cooperation has also remained an important component of India-Bhutan ties. In August, the Indian Embassy in Bhutan announced the inauguration of three High Impact Community Development Projects in Panbang, Zhemgang.
The projects included blacktopping the Gewog Centre-Lichibi Farm Road at a cost of Nu 20 million, construction of the Lamthang Chiwog Road using granular sub-base at Nu 5.7 million, and improvement of the Budhashi Chiwog Road at Nu 5 million.
“These India-Supported HICDP projects improve market access for agricultural produce, enhance livelihoods, and improve the quality of life for the people of Panbang,” the Indian Embassy in Bhutan said in a post on X.
Jaishankar’s meetings with Bhutanese leaders are expected to provide an opportunity for both sides to review bilateral relations and discuss areas of continued cooperation.
