Syllabus: India and its neighborhood — relations.
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Thimphu on November 11, 2025, to attend former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck’s 70th birthday celebrations, reaffirming India’s Neighbourhood First Policy.
Bilateral Cooperation
- Invited India’s Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to build and maintain Bhutan’s road network, later managed by Bhutanese firms.
- Pioneered hydropower cooperation—turning river potential into steady national revenue.
- The Punatsangchhu II (1,020 MW) hydro project, jointly developed by India and Bhutan, to be inaugurated by Modi and King K5.
Future Cooperation
- Bhutan plans to involve private Indian firms (Tata Power, Adani Power) in upcoming projects.
- Shift from full government financing to diversified, private-led investment models.
Beyond Hydropower
- India continues development assistance across sectors—community infrastructure, education, and monastery restoration.
- K4 still advises King K5 on national security and China-related issues.
- Led Operation All Clear (2003), eliminating Indian insurgents sheltering in Bhutanese forests.
Significance
- The 70th birthday is both a tribute to K4’s wisdom and a celebration of India–Bhutan friendship.
- Symbolizes enduring cultural, emotional, and strategic bonds between the two nations.