NEW DELHI/THIMPHU: India and Bhutan reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation as well as regional and international issues of mutual importance during External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar’s three-day official visit to Bhutan from September 16-18.

Dr Jaishankar visited Bhutan at the invitation of Bhutanese Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Lyonpo D N Dhungyel. In a joint statement issued on Friday, the two sides welcomed progress in the special and multi-faceted India-Bhutan partnership under the guidance of Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while also commending advances in bilateral development cooperation.

Dr Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s support for Bhutan’s developmental goals and priorities. Bhutan, in turn, appreciated India’s support for wide-ranging programmes under its 13th Five Year Plan for 2024-29.

Energy cooperation featured prominently in the discussions. Dr Jaishankar and Lyonpo Dhungyel expressed satisfaction at implementation of the Joint Vision on Energy Partnership adopted in March 2024 and noted recent progress, including the inauguration of the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project and the signing of its Tariff Protocol. They also noted the resumption of dam construction at the 1,200 MW Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project.

The two sides welcomed the signing of an agreement on a concessional Line of Credit of INR 4,000 crore for energy projects in Bhutan. They also noted the active participation of Indian companies in Bhutanese hydropower projects, describing it as adding dynamism to existing energy cooperation.

Another important area of discussion was Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), an initiative associated with the vision of the Bhutanese King. Dr Jaishankar reaffirmed the Government of India’s support for the vision, while both sides acknowledged ongoing interaction through the Joint Working Group on GMC and agreed to continue efforts towards collaboration on GMC-related matters.

Connectivity and movement also figured in the discussions. India reaffirmed its commitment to establish an Immigration Check Post at Hatisar in Assam to facilitate the movement of investors and visitors to Gelephu, as announced during Prime Minister Modi’s State Visit to Bhutan in November 2025.

Bhutan thanked India for its decision to establish a special temporary immigration facility at Hatisar across Gelephu to facilitate the entry and exit of third-country nationals associated with Project 108 Chortens/Stupas on November 1, 2026.

The discussions also covered multilateral cooperation. India thanked Bhutan for its support for India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2028-29 term. India also welcomed Bhutan’s ratification of the Framework Agreement of the International Big Cat Alliance.

The two ministers exchanged views on regional and global developments and recognised the significance of close bilateral ties amid a complex international environment. The joint statement underlined the character of the relationship, describing India and Bhutan as sharing an “exemplary partnership” marked by trust, goodwill and mutual understanding at all levels, together with close people-to-people contacts.

Dr Jaishankar’s visit, the statement said, was in keeping with the longstanding tradition of close engagement and cooperation between the two countries, with discussions spanning development, energy, connectivity, emerging economic initiatives and multilateral issues.