The Prime Minister of Bhutan arrives in India for his first overseas visit since taking office

Dashao Tshelin Togai is expected to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi.

At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Togai arrived in the capital of Bhutan for a five-day official visit to India.

This is the first overseas visit of the Prime Minister of Bhutan who will take office in January 2024.

He was received at the airport by Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs Ashwini Choubey.

Welcoming the arrival of the Bhutanese Prime Minister, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that his visit is a testament to the friendly relations between the two countries.

“A warm welcome to India! Bhutanese Prime Minister @tsheringtobgay arrives in New Delhi on his first overseas visit after taking office in January 2024. Received at the airport by MoS @AshwiniKChoubeyat. @PMBhutan’s visit is in line with the model friendship relations between the two countries. India and Bhutan Dan,” Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.

The Prime Minister of Bhutan was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Employment and senior officials of the Royal Government of Bhutan.

During his visit to India, Dasho Tshering Togai will call on Indian President Drupadi Murmu and is expected to hold bilateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and other Indian dignitaries will also call on the Bhutanese Prime Minister.

Dasho Tshering Tobgay is also scheduled to visit Mumbai.

The visit of the Prime Minister of Bhutan will provide an opportunity for both parties to review the progress of the unique partnership between the two countries and discuss ways and means to expand the long-lasting friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.

In January, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra paid a three-day official visit to Bhutan, during which he called on the Prime Minister of Bhutan.

India and Bhutan share an exemplary relationship of friendship and cooperation based on trust, goodwill and mutual understanding at all levels.

The tradition of regular political and official exchanges is an important symbol of the special friendly and cooperative relationship between the two countries. Prime Minister Modi visited Bhutan on his first overseas trip after winning the 2014 election. After Prime Minister Modi was re-elected, he paid a state visit to Bhutan in August 2019.

King Jigme Kesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan visited India from September 14 to 16, 2022, and met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar.

In April 2023, the King of Bhutan visited Delhi and met with the President, Prime Minister and EAM of India. A joint statement titled “A Framework for Expanding India-Bhutan Partnership” was issued, reaffirming the strength of the unique relationship while outlining specific areas to advance India-Bhutan partnership.

In November 2023, the King visited India again to hold discussions with the Prime Minister, EAM and FS. The King of Bhutan also paid his first official visit to Assam and Maharashtra to expand friendly and cooperative relations.

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