External affairs minister S Jaishankar is visiting Bhutan on September 16 and 17 for discussions with his Bhutanese counterpart, DN Dhungyel, as India and Bhutan review their bilateral relationship and seek to further strengthen their longstanding ties. The visit is part of the regular high-level exchanges between the two neighbouring countries and comes amid continued cooperation on development, connectivity and economic matters.

During the visit, Jaishankar is scheduled to meet Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in addition to holding talks with Foreign Minister Dhungyel. The external affairs ministry said the engagements would provide an opportunity to discuss the broad range of bilateral relations and reinforce the close friendship and cooperation between India and Bhutan.

The visit follows Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s trip to Bhutan in July. During that visit, the Exim Bank of India and Bhutan’s finance ministry signed an agreement for a concessional line of credit worth ₹4,000 crore. Misri also co-chaired discussions on India-Bhutan development cooperation, with a focus on the Himalayan kingdom’s 13th five-year plan.

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India remains a major development partner for Bhutan and provides a substantial portion of the funding for the country’s five-year plans. New Delhi has committed ₹10,000 crore for Bhutan’s 13th five-year plan covering the period from 2024 to 2029. India has also extended ₹750 crore for Bhutan’s Economic Stimulus Programme and provided an additional ₹100 crore as a programme grant.

Connectivity and economic integration are also expected to remain important areas of cooperation between the two countries. Last year, India announced plans to construct the first two cross-border railway links with Bhutan at an estimated cost of ₹4,033 crore. The proposed railway projects are intended to improve regional connectivity, support trade and facilitate closer economic links between the neighbouring countries.

Jaishankar’s visit is therefore expected to build on the existing framework of cooperation and the recent high-level discussions between the two governments. The meetings with Bhutanese leaders will provide an opportunity to review ongoing initiatives, discuss future development priorities and reaffirm the importance both countries place on their close and sustained bilateral partnership.

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