External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday held talks with his Bhutanese counterpart DN Dhungyel and reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations, including development cooperation, hydropower, connectivity and economic ties, as the two countries moved to deepen their longstanding partnership. During his visit, Jaishankar also participated in the inauguration of several India-supported development projects and reiterated New Delhi’s commitment to working with Bhutan on priorities identified by its government and people.
Bilateral ties reviewed
Jaishankar and Dhungyel discussed ongoing cooperation and exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual interest. The talks covered connectivity, trade and investment, energy cooperation and development projects being implemented with Indian assistance. The External Affairs Minister said India attached the highest importance to its relationship with Bhutan and would continue supporting the country’s socio-economic development. The discussions also came against the backdrop of expanding cooperation in emerging areas while maintaining the traditional focus on hydropower and infrastructure.
Projects inaugurated
During the visit, Jaishankar joined Bhutanese leaders in inaugurating major projects developed with Indian support. The initiatives form part of the broader India-Bhutan development partnership, under which New Delhi supports infrastructure and community projects across the Himalayan country. The two sides highlighted the role of such projects in improving public services, connectivity and economic opportunities. India has remained a major development partner of Bhutan, with cooperation extending across sectors including roads, education, healthcare, digital infrastructure, agriculture and energy.
Hydropower partnership
Energy cooperation remained an important element of the discussions, with hydropower continuing to occupy a central place in bilateral economic relations. India and Bhutan have collaborated for decades on developing hydropower projects, with electricity generated in Bhutan supplying its domestic requirements while surplus power is exported to India. The partnership has increasingly expanded towards newer energy areas as both countries examine opportunities created by growing demand for clean and reliable power.
Development partnership
The visit underscored the regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan and the emphasis both sides place on coordinating development priorities. New Delhi has repeatedly described its ties with Thimphu as a relationship based on trust, mutual understanding and close people-to-people connections. Jaishankar’s engagements reinforced India’s “Neighbourhood First” approach towards Bhutan while providing the two governments an opportunity to review the implementation of ongoing projects and identify areas for further cooperation.