Bhutanese King's New Delhi visit to boost ties, says Indian Foreign Minister

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday received Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
• He is on a two-day trip to India
• The External Affairs Minister said that the Bhutanese King’s visit will improve the two nations’ “close and unique partnership.”

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday received Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who is on a two-day trip to India, at the New Delhi airport.

The External Affairs Minister said that the Bhutanese King’s visit will improve the two nations’ “close and unique partnership.”

“Honoured to welcome His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, on his arrival in India. His visit will further strengthen the close and unique India-Bhutan partnership,” Jaishankar wrote on Twitter. Bhutan’s Foreign Minister Dr Tandi Dorji and other top officials also accompanied the King. He will also meet President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.

Bhutan is a strategically vital country for India, and the two countries’ defence and security relations have grown significantly in recent years. Strategic connections have become stronger in recent years, owing to a 73-day standoff between Indian and Chinese forces at the Doklam tri-junction in 2017.

The Doklam plateau is regarded as a critical strategic sector for India. The 2017 standoff at the Doklam tri-junction began when China attempted to expand a road across territory claimed by Bhutan. India had aggressively opposed the construction, claiming that it would jeopardise its overall security interests. Bhutan and China inked a “three-step roadmap” agreement in October 2021 to speed discussions to resolve their lingering border issue. In September of last year, the King of Bhutan paid a transit visit to Delhi.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, India gave particular support to Bhutan, and it was the first nation to receive Covishield vaccines from India. Since 1961, India has provided help to Bhutan in the implementation of its consecutive “Five Year Plans.” India provided Rs 4500 crore to Bhutan’s XII five-year plan for various multi-sectoral projects, minor development initiatives, and direct budgetary support. In the field of hydropower projects, the two sides have worked closely together.

Historically, India is said to be Bhutan’s top trading partner and is also the country’s largest source of investment.