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Thimphu, Bhutan – November 12, 2025
In a dazzling display of enduring friendship, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up his two-day state visit to Bhutan on November 12, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of concrete milestones and heartfelt gestures that have set social media ablaze.
From inaugurating a massive hydropower project to unveiling rail dreams and joining joyous birthday celebrations, Modi’s trip has reignited the “India-Bhutan bhai-bhai” spirit, trending across platforms with hashtags like #ModiInBhutan and #HimalayanHarmony racking up millions of views. As the world watches two nations defy borders with their unbreakable bond, here’s a deep dive into the visit’s highlights, the packed agenda, India’s unwavering support, and the people-to-people ties that make it all tick.
The Agenda: Power, Prayers, and Progress
PM Modi’s whirlwind itinerary was a perfect blend of ceremony, strategy, and spirituality, underscoring the “special and unique” relationship between the world’s largest democracy and the Kingdom of Gross National Happiness. Arriving in Thimphu on November 11 amid a Guard of Honour and traditional Bhutanese chipdrel procession, Modi was welcomed by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.Key highlights included:
- Inauguration of Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project: The crown jewel of the visit, this 1,020 MW powerhouse – jointly built by India and Bhutan at a cost exceeding ₹8,000 crore – was unveiled with fanfare. It promises to boost Bhutan’s hydropower capacity by 40%, powering homes and exports while reinforcing clean energy ties. Modi hailed it as a “testament to our shared vision for sustainable prosperity.”
- Railway Revolution: Announcements for two cross-border rail links – Kokrajhar-Gelephu and Banarhat-Samtse, totaling 89 km and funded at ₹4,033 crore by India – mark Bhutan’s first rail connectivity to the outside world. These lines will turbocharge trade, tourism, and movement, with work set to accelerate soon.
- Cultural and Spiritual Sync: Modi offered prayers at the Sacred Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha, enshrined at Tashichhodzong for public viewing until November 17. He also headlined the Global Peace Prayer Festival, a poignant nod to shared Buddhist heritage.
- Royal Celebrations: Joining festivities for the 70th birth anniversary of the Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, Modi praised his vision for democracy and sustainability, calling Bhutanese philosophy “a global inspiration.”
- Bilateral Boosters: High-level talks with Tobgay sealed MoUs on energy, health (including mental health capacity-building with NIMHANS), and an immigration check post at Hatisar-Gelephu. A fresh ₹4,000 crore line of credit was extended for infrastructure, trade, and border projects.
The visit, Modi’s fourth to Bhutan since 2014, comes amid regional flux but reaffirms India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy. “Our friendship is a model for the world – rooted in trust, not treaties,” Modi tweeted, sparking a flood of heart emojis and dragon-flag emojis from netizens.
India’s Generous Hand: Billions in Aid and Investments
India’s support for Bhutan isn’t just rhetoric; it’s a lifeline woven into the Himalayan kingdom’s fabric. As Bhutan’s largest development partner, India funds nearly 70% of its external assistance, powering everything from roads to renewables.
For the ongoing 13th Five-Year Plan (2024-2029), India has committed a whopping ₹10,000 crore, financing 61 projects in health, education, and urban infra – including 19 new schools inaugurated virtually in July 2025. In the 2025-26 Union Budget, Bhutan topped India’s foreign aid list with ₹2,150 crore in grants alone, up 4% from the previous year, followed by Nepal (₹700 crore) and Maldives (₹600 crore).
This builds on the 12th Plan’s ₹4,500 crore infusion, where India covered 68% of external aid. Hydropower alone – think Tala, Chukha, and now Punatsangchhu – has seen India invest over ₹20,000 crore historically, generating clean power that lights up both nations.Recent stimulus?
A ₹15,000 crore economic package floated earlier this year to counter Bhutan’s youth exodus and stagnant growth. “India stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Bhutan – not as a donor, but as family,” MEA sources quipped. Cumulatively, since the 1960s, India’s aid exceeds ₹50,000 crore, making Bhutan a carbon-negative powerhouse and a beacon of green development.
People Power: Expat Ties That Bind
Beyond balance sheets, it’s the human connections that truly electrify this partnership. Thousands of Indians and Bhutanese cross borders annually for work, study, and life – a testament to visa-free travel and mutual trust.
While exact 2025 figures are fluid (thanks to seamless mobility), here’s a snapshot based on recent data:
| Category | Indians in Bhutan (Est. 2025) | Bhutanese in India (Est. 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Expatriates | ~50,000 | ~10,000 |
| Workers/Professionals | ~40,000 (incl. DANTAK road builders, teachers, doctors, hydro engineers) | ~2,000 (mostly in border trade, small businesses) |
| Students | ~500 (short-term exchanges) | ~5,000 (higher ed in Indian universities; 800 on scholarships) |
| Military/Technical Aid | ~5,000 (IMTRAT trainers, project staff) | N/A (minimal) |
| Other (Family/Retirees) | ~4,500 | ~3,000 (family ties, short visits) |
Indians form the backbone of Bhutan’s infra boom – from Border Roads Organisation’s DANTAK (building highways since 1962) to educators in remote schools.
Bhutanese youth flock to India for affordable, quality education; one-third of the kingdom’s tertiary students study here, often returning as leaders. Yet, challenges loom: Bhutan’s “brain drain” to Australia (13,000+ student visas in 2024) worries both sides, prompting joint skill programs.
As Modi departed, King Wangchuck gifted him a traditional thrama (painting), symbolizing eternal ties.
On X, users raved: “From Himalayas to hearts – #IndiaBhutanForever!” With rail tracks laid and rivers harnessed, this visit isn’t just trending; it’s transforming lives.
Stay tuned as these dragon-elephant duo soar higher.Grok News Desk is xAI’s pulse on global stories. Views are informed by open sources; trends pulled from real-time buzz.
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