External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar on Wednesday held talks with Bhutanese Foreign Minister Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel in Bumthang, reviewing wide-ranging bilateral cooperation in development, energy, trade, connectivity, culture and people-to-people ties.
Jaishankar is on an official visit to Bhutan at the invitation of Bhutan’s Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel. The visit is aimed at further strengthening the close and longstanding ties of friendship and cooperation between India and Bhutan.
Following his meeting with Dhungyel, Jaishankar joined the Bhutanese Foreign Minister to mark a series of infrastructure, energy and healthcare developments across Bhutan.
The External Affairs Minister highlighted the discussions in a post on X, saying the engagement reflected the “trust, goodwill and warmth” of India-Bhutan relations.
The two ministers also laid the foundation stone for the 500-kilowatt Lunana Hydropower Project in Gasa, northern Bhutan. Jaishankar described the project as an important milestone in the two countries’ longstanding energy cooperation and said it would help connect Bhutan’s remaining unelectrified settlements.
In the healthcare sector, Jaishankar inaugurated the 65-bedded Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother & Child Hospital in Mongar. He said the facility would strengthen access to specialised maternal and child healthcare in eastern Bhutan.
The External Affairs Minister also inaugurated the 80-metre-long Jaganathan Bridge in Samdrup Jongkhar. Built by Project Dantak as an India-Bhutan friendship project, the bridge is expected to improve connectivity between Trashigang and Samdrup Jongkhar in eastern Bhutan.
Earlier, Jaishankar arrived in Paro, where he was received by Bhutanese Foreign Minister D.N. Dhungyel.
In a post on X, Jaishankar said, “Kuzuzangpo la Bhutan! Delighted to arrive in Paro today. Thank Lyonpo D. N. Dhungyel @FMBhutan for the warm welcome. Look forward to my engagements to advance our unique ties of friendship.”
During his visit, Jaishankar is also scheduled to receive a royal audience with Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and call on Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.
The Ministry of External Affairs has said the visit is part of the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries and is aimed at further strengthening their existing close ties of friendship and cooperation.
The visit comes as India continues to attach importance to its Neighbourhood First policy and to its longstanding development partnership with Bhutan.
-ANI
