External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar Arrives in Bhutan for Official Visit, India-Bhutan Bilateral Talks in Focus

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar Arrives in Bhutan for Official Visit, India-Bhutan Bilateral Talks in Focus

THIMPHU, September 16, 2026 [VoM News]: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Bhutan on Wednesday for an official visit aimed at strengthening India-Bhutan relations and expanding bilateral cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.

Jaishankar was received on arrival in Paro by Bhutan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel. The visit is taking place at Dhungyel’s invitation.

Following his arrival, Jaishankar thanked his Bhutanese counterpart for the welcome and said he looked forward to engagements aimed at advancing the “unique ties of friendship” between India and Bhutan.

During his Bhutan visit, Jaishankar is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Dhungyel. He will also receive a royal audience with Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and call on Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.

The meetings are expected to provide an opportunity for India and Bhutan to review their bilateral relationship and discuss areas of cooperation, including development and other issues of mutual interest.

Bhutan’s Foreign Ministry said the visit was in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries and was intended to further strengthen their close friendship and cooperation.

India-Bhutan Relations See Continued High-Level Engagement

Jaishankar’s visit comes amid continuing diplomatic and institutional engagement between New Delhi and Thimphu.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Bhutan in July and co-chaired India-Bhutan development cooperation talks. The engagement focused on bilateral development cooperation and Bhutan’s development priorities.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has also been visiting Bhutan this week and received a royal audience with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

India and Bhutan have maintained cooperation across areas including development projects, trade, connectivity, hydropower, education and people-to-people ties.

The two countries have also continued cooperation over transboundary rivers and hydrological data sharing. Recent discussions have included the progress of projects undertaken in Bhutan with Indian partnership and proposals to strengthen Bhutan’s hydro-meteorological network.

India is Bhutan’s largest trading partner, accounting for nearly 80% of the country’s total trade, according to DD India. Bilateral trade crossed $1.9 billion during the 2024-25 financial year.

Jaishankar’s latest Bhutan visit forms part of the regular high-level exchanges that have long characterised India-Bhutan bilateral relations and comes as the two sides seek to deepen diplomatic, economic and development cooperation.