New Delhi, November 10 (IANS). Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bhutan from 11 to 12 November. PM Modi’s visit to Bhutan is being considered special from the business as well as spiritual and cultural point of view. A glimpse of spirituality, business and heritage will be seen during his visit.
PM Modi will worship the holy relic of Lord Buddha in Bhutan.
There is a deep spiritual connection between India and Bhutan. People who believe in Buddhism visit the religious place of Lord Buddha in Bhutan in large numbers.
Talking about trade relations between the two countries, the India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty of 2007 and the India-Bhutan Trade, Commerce and Transit Agreement of 2016 further strengthened the trade relations between the two countries. Through these agreements, a free trade system was established between India and Bhutan. Along with this, Bhutan also gets the facility of free transit for goods imported from third countries.
India has consistently been Bhutan’s top trading partner. India’s share in Bhutan’s total trade to increase from 79.17 percent in 2023 to 79.88 percent in 2024.
In January–December 2024, India’s bilateral trade with Bhutan was worth Rs 12,669 crore. Of this, India’s export to Bhutan was Rs 9,538 crore and India’s import from Bhutan was Rs 3,131 crore.
India has not imposed any restrictions or ban on the export of essential commodities to Bhutan. Additionally, several trade routes were approved to facilitate Bhutan’s exports. Recently, a B2B (Business to Business) agreement was signed for the supply of various fertilizers to Bhutan.
Further enhancing connectivity between India and Bhutan is a priority for both the countries, which includes establishing cross-border rail connectivity, strengthening road connectivity, setting up integrated check posts and trade routes, new immigration points and digital connectivity.
India and Bhutan signed an inter-governmental agreement on September 29, 2025, working towards railway connectivity. Under this, two rail links, Kokrajhar-Gelephu (69 km) and Banarhat-Samtse (20 km) will be developed. Its estimated cost is believed to be Rs 4,033.34 crore.
India has developed five major hydroelectric projects (HEPs) in Bhutan totaling 3,156 MW, including 336 MW Chukha Hydroelectric Project, 60 MW Kurichhu Hydroelectric Project, 1,020 MW Tala Hydroelectric Project, 720 MW Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project and the recently completed (in August 2025) Includes the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project.
Apart from this, Fintech, RuPay Card and BHIM UPI are also enhancing India-Bhutan trade partnership.
–IANS
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