Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay has praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 25 years of continuous service as a head of government, describing him as an elder brother and mentor. In an opinion article published in the Hindustan Times, Tobgay also recalled telling Modi in 2019 that he viewed him as an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Reflecting on their relationship years later, Tobgay said he had concluded that his earlier description was correct and associated Modi with Vishnu’s final avatar, Kalki.

Tobgay highlighted what he described as India’s focus on its neighbouring countries under Modi’s leadership. He said the concept of a developed India had significance beyond the country’s borders and praised Modi’s efforts to strengthen the voice of the Global South. He also pointed to India’s role in supporting the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20, saying a stronger Indian economy could provide greater markets, capital, technology and influence to the region.

The Bhutanese Prime Minister also recalled Modi’s first foreign visit after becoming Prime Minister in 2014, when he travelled to Bhutan within weeks of taking office. Tobgay, who was Bhutan’s Prime Minister at the time, said Modi had described the bilateral relationship through the phrase “B4B”, referring to Bharat for Bhutan and Bhutan for Bharat. He said the principle had continued to guide cooperation between the two countries over the years.

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Tobgay pointed to India’s financial assistance to Bhutan as an important part of the bilateral partnership. He recalled that Indian support during Bhutan’s 11th Five-Year Plan helped his government pursue its development programme, while assistance continued during the 12th Plan. According to Tobgay, when he returned as Prime Minister in 2024, India increased its support for Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan to Rs 10,000 crore.

He said the partnership now extends across areas including education, healthcare, infrastructure, hydropower, technology, agriculture and enterprise. Tobgay also highlighted India’s support for the Bhutanese King’s vision for the Gelephu Mindfulness City, saying cooperation was taking shape through areas such as rail connectivity, border infrastructure and improved air and digital links.

Tobgay further said Indian businesses were responding to the strengthening bilateral relationship by participating in Bhutan’s economic development. He noted that leading Indian companies had invested in the country’s transformation and joined the Gelephu Mindfulness City initiative as founding members. His remarks came as Modi marked 25 years as a head of government, with the Bhutanese leader emphasising the longstanding political and economic ties between the two neighbouring countries.

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