PM hosts Bhutan King; both leaders resolve to expand 'exemplary' bilateral ties

India and Bhutan pledged on Thursday to further enhance their exemplary partnership across all sectors with Prime Minister PM Narendra Modi conveying to Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck New Delhis strong commitment to the economic development of the Himalayan nation news agency PTI reportedShortly after the Bhutanese King arrived on a twoday visit he and PM Modi held talks focussed at strengthening cooperation in a range of areas including clean energy trade and investment space and technologyPM Modi reiterated Indias enduring commitment to its deep bonds of friendship and cooperation with Bhutan and assured continued and full support for the Himalayan countrys socioeconomic development aligned with the priorities of the Bhutanese government according to a joint statementAccording to PTI PM Modi expressed New Delhis ongoing support for the Gelephu Mindfulness City initiative a project spearheaded by King Wangchuck to accelerate Bhutanrsquos development and strengthen connections with bordering areas in IndiaThe Bhutanese King was welcomed at the airport by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reflecting the significance India places on the visitIn a post on X PM Modi praised the Kings vision for Bhutanrsquos progress and regional development We remain committed to advancing the unique and enduring partnership between India and Bhutan he statedThe King was accompanied by Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck and senior officials from the Bhutanese government After the talks PM Modi hosted a lunch in honour of the King and the QueenThe joint statement highlighted that the two leaders reviewed the expanding bilateral partnership which now spans trade economic connectivity infrastructure energy skill development education health the digital economy space technology environmental conservation and peopletopeople exchanges PTI reportedBoth PM Modi and the Bhutanese King expressed satisfaction with the excellent state of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening these exemplary ties the statement saidThe King also conveyed his appreciation for the invaluable support India provides for Bhutans socioeconomic developmentThe Bhutanese side thanked India for increasing its development support under the 13th Five Year Plan 202429 and for its backing of Thimphursquos economic stimulus programme the statement addedKing Wangchuck shared with PM Modi the progress on the Gelephu Mindfulness City Special Administrative Region and discussed how the two neighbours can collaborate on the project for the benefit of both countries and the broader regionThe leaders also reviewed recent advancements in strategic partnerships particularly in the energy sector including the nonhydro sector According to the joint statement PM Modi and Wangchuck expressed satisfaction with the progress of the 1020 MW PunatshangchhuII hydropower project which is nearing completion and looked forward to its commissioning soonThe two leaders also agreed on the need to expedite the completion of the PunatsangchhuI hydropower project and reiterated the importance of cooperation in the hydropower sector with a commitment to advancing it including finalising modalities urgently for new projects such as reservoir hydro projectsThe statement further noted that the two sides reviewed various projects including the establishment of two crossborder rail links and the enhancement of digital connectivityThe Kingrsquos visit to New Delhi comes at a time when China has been making efforts to establish formal diplomatic relations with Bhutan The two countries are also working towards an expeditious resolution of their longstanding boundary dispute which has implications for Indias security interestsOver a year ago Bhutans former Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing A Chinese readout from the talks stated that Bhutan adheres to the oneChina principle and is ready to work with Beijing on an early settlement of the boundary issueNew Delhi has been closely monitoring these discussions as the outcome could affect Indiarsquos security particularly in the Doklam trijunctionWith PTI inputs