New Delhi/Thimphu: External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar is on a two-day visit to the neighbouring country of Bhutan. The visit has given fresh momentum to the long-standing India-Bhutan strategic partnership underscoring New Delhi’s “Neighbourhood First policy”. The two sides reviewed wide-ranging areas of cooperation and jointly advancing major projects in hydropower, healthcare, connectivity and agriculture.
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on September 16, Wednesday met Bhutanese Foreign Minister Lyonpo DN Dhungyel in Bumthang and underscored the depth of the longstanding India-Bhutan partnership. EAM Jaishankar also participated in the launch and inauguration of key development projects which are assisted by India. Hw also held engaging discussions with Bhutan’s cultural and agricultural institutions.
The visit, undertaken at the invitation of Bhutan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, comes in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two neighbouring countries.
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.
🇮🇳 🇧🇹 pic.twitter.com/Zb7zI8pIMG
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 16, 2026
EAM Jaishankar, Bhutanese counterpart review strategic cooperation
EAM Jaishankar and his Bhutanese counterpat Dhungyel held discussions on a broad range of areas, including development partnership, energy, trade, connectivity, culture and people-to-people ties. Thanking his Bhutanese counterpart for hosting him in Bumthang, EAM Jaishankar described the discussions as reflective of the “trust, goodwill and warmth” underpinning India-Bhutan relations.
He added that the conversation focused on advancing the countries’ “multifaceted engagement” across development partnership, energy, trade, connectivity, culture and people-to-people ties. The meeting was followed by a series of engagements highlighting the practical dimensions of India’s developmental partnership with Bhutan.
Delighted to meet @FMBhutan 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 focused on advancing our multifaceted engagement in development partnership,… pic.twitter.com/cthsW3SdIB
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 16, 2026
500 KW Lunana hydropower project to aid Bhutan’s electrification
A key highlight of the visit was the foundation stone laying for the 500 KW Lunana Hydropower Project in Gasa, northern Bhutan.
EAM Jaishankar described the project as an important milestone in the longstanding energy partnership between the two countries. He traced the cooperation back to Bhutan’s first hydroelectric plant, Jungshina in Thimphu, established in 1967 and said the new project would help connect Bhutan’s last unelectrified settlements.
The initiative underlines the central role played by the hydropower cooperation in strengthening India-Bhutan relations, while also focusing on expanding electricity access in remote areas.
Joined @FMBhutan Lyonpo D. N Dhungyel in:
➡️ Laying the foundation stone for the 500 KW Lunana Hydropower Project in Gasa, northern Bhutan. A proud milestone for our longstanding energy collaboration starting from Bhutan’s first hydroelectric plant ‘Jungshina’ in Thimphu in… pic.twitter.com/1PS5uRRClc
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 16, 2026
New hospitals to strengthen Bhutan’s healthcare infrastructure
Healthcare cooperation also featured prominently during EAM Jaishankar’s engagements. The External Affairs Minister inaugurated the 65-bedded Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother & Child Hospital in Mongar, a facility intended to strengthen access to specialised maternal and child healthcare in eastern Bhutan.
The hospital adds to the healthcare infrastructure available to communities in the region and reflects the development-oriented nature of bilateral cooperation.
India – Bhutan partnership in action. Have a look.
🇮🇳 🇧🇹 pic.twitter.com/qDmPwqxtNs
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 16, 2026
Project Dantak bridge to boost eastern connectivity
Connectivity received another major push with the inauguration of the 80-metre Jaganathan Bridge in Samdrup Jongkhar. Built by Project Dantak, the India-Bhutan friendship project, the bridge is expected to improve connectivity between Trashigang and Samdrup Jongkhar in eastern Bhutan.
The infrastructure initiative is significant for movement and connectivity in the region and forms part of India’s broader development partnership with Bhutan.
India supports Bhutan’s dairy sector with 43 Jersey cows
EAM Jaishankar’s visit also included an agricultural engagement at the National Cattle Breeding Centre in Bumthang, where he handed over 43 pureline Jersey cows from India for Bhutan’s dairy cattle breeding programme.
EAM Jaishankar reiterated that the high-yield cattle will help enhance milk productivity and support local farmers. He said the Centre’s breeding programme is expected to benefit around 40,000 farmers. The initiative highlights how bilateral cooperation extends beyond large infrastructure projects to agriculture and livelihoods at the community & grassroot level.
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… pic.twitter.com/eHsCtIonLz
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 16, 2026
Cultural engagements underline civilisational ties
EAM Jaishankar also visited the historic Wangduechhoeling Palace and Museum in Bumthang, describing the former royal residence and court as a showcase of Bhutanese history, art, craft and architecture. He also offered prayers at Kurjey Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s important spiritual and cultural sites.
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. pic.twitter.com/mmwWffO3pH
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 16, 2026
“Prayed for the well-being of our people and India-Bhutan ties”, EAM Jaishankar said after his visit to the sacred site. EAM Jaishankar arrived in Paro on September 16, Wednesday and was welcomed by Bhutanese Foreign Minister Dhungyel. On his arrival, he expressed his intention to advance India’s “unique ties of friendship” with Bhutan.
As part of his two-day visit, Jaishankar is also scheduled to receive a royal audience with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and call on Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay. The Ministry of External Affairs said that the visit is aimed at further strengthening the existing close ties of friendship and cooperation between India and Bhutan.
