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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo of Bhutan and praised his long-standing efforts to strengthen the deep-rooted friendship between India and Bhutan.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed ways to enhance cooperation in key sectors including energy, trade, technology, and connectivity. Prime Minister Modi also commended the progress of the Gelephu Mindfulness City Project, describing it as a significant initiative that aligns closely with India’s Act East Policy.

A day earlier on November 11, Prime Minister Modi had joined Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck to seek blessings from the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha at Thimphu’s Tashichhodzong. The relics, currently enshrined at the Grand Kuenrey Hall, were sent from India as a special gesture to honor the Fourth King’s 70th birth anniversary and the Global Peace Prayer Festival organized by the Royal Government of Bhutan.

The visit highlighted the deep civilizational, cultural, and spiritual ties shared between the two neighboring countries. The local monks and citizens extended a warm welcome to the Indian Prime Minister during the event.

As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan, the Je Khenpo, Bhutan’s spiritual leader, had presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a Bhutanese temple in Rajgir, India. The temple was formally consecrated in September this year.

A statue of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, revered as the founder of the Bhutanese nation, currently on display at the Simtokha Dzong in Bhutan, has been loaned by the Asiatic Society, Kolkata, further symbolizing the shared cultural heritage between the two nations.

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Prime Minister Modi’s association with Bhutan has been marked by several landmark visits. His first overseas visit after assuming office in 2014 was to Bhutan. He again visited the country in August 2019 during his second term and later in March 2024, when he was conferred the Order of the Druk Gyalpo—Bhutan’s highest civilian honor—by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

Instituted as the highest decoration for lifetime achievement, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo takes precedence over all other honors in Bhutan. The award was first announced during Bhutan’s 114th National Day celebrations in December 2021, recognizing Prime Minister Modi’s role in strengthening India-Bhutan ties and India’s growing global stature.

While receiving the honour, Prime Minister Modi had said the award belonged to the 1.4 billion people of India, reflecting the deep and enduring friendship between India and Bhutan.