S Jaishankar Visits Bhutan to Strengthen India-Bhutan Bilateral Ties
S. Jaishankar begins a three-day Bhutan visit to strengthen bilateral ties, with talks planned with senior Bhutanese leaders and discussions focused on existing cooperation and areas of mutual interest.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrives in Bhutan for an official visit aimed at strengthening the longstanding relationship between India and Bhutan. The visit is scheduled from September 16 to 18 and includes meetings with senior Bhutanese leaders.
Jaishankar arrives in Bumthang alongside Bhutan’s Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel. During the visit, he is scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with Dhungyel and call on Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.
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According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the visit forms part of the regular high-level exchanges between the two countries and is intended to further strengthen existing cooperation. The engagement covers the broader India-Bhutan partnership and areas of mutual interest.
The visit comes amid continued diplomatic engagement between the two neighbours. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bhutan in November 2025, when he and the Bhutanese King jointly inaugurated the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II hydropower project. Agreements covering renewable energy and health were also concluded during the visit.
Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck also made two visits to India in 2025, while Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay visited New Delhi in February 2026 for the AI Impact Summit and held discussions with Prime Minister Modi. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri subsequently visited Bhutan in July for the India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks.
Economic and development cooperation remain important components of the bilateral relationship. India is Bhutan’s largest trading partner, accounting for nearly 80% of Bhutan’s total trade. Bilateral trade crossed $1.9 billion during the 2024-25 financial year, representing an increase of more than 46% from the previous year, according to The Statesman.
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The two countries are also continuing cooperation through community-level development projects. In August, three High Impact Community Development Projects in Panbang, Zhemgang, were inaugurated with Indian support.
Jaishankar’s current visit is expected to provide another opportunity for India and Bhutan to review ongoing cooperation and discuss avenues for further engagement across development, trade and other areas of mutual interest.
