WorldPosted at: Sep 16 2026 2:30PM


Jaishankar to meet Bhutan King, PM to deepen bilateral ties

Thimphu, Sep 16 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived in Bhutan on Wednesday for an official visit aimed at further strengthening India's longstanding ties of friendship and cooperation with the neighbouring country.
Jaishankar, who is visiting Bhutan from September 16 to 18, was received by Bhutanese Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister Lyonpo D N Dhungyel upon his arrival.
"Delighted to arrive in Paro today. Thank Lyonpo D N Dhungyel, Foreign Minister of Bhutan, for the warm welcome. Look forward to my engagements to advance our unique ties of friendship," Jaishankar posted on X.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Jaishankar will hold bilateral talks with Dhungyel during the visit. He is also scheduled to receive a royal audience with Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and call on Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.
The MEA said the visit is in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan and is aimed at further strengthening the close ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
India and Bhutan have continued to deepen cooperation across diplomatic, developmental and people-centric initiatives. Community-level development projects have also remained an important area of engagement between the two countries.
In August, the Indian Embassy in Bhutan announced the inauguration of three High Impact Community Development Projects in Panbang, Zhemgang.
India is Bhutan's largest trading partner, accounting for nearly 80 per cent of Bhutan's total trade. Bilateral trade crossed USD1.9 billion in the 2024-25 financial year, registering an increase of more than 46 per cent over the previous financial year.
Jaishankar's visit comes amid continued high-level and institutional engagement between the two countries and is expected to provide an opportunity to review bilateral cooperation and discuss areas of mutual interest with the Bhutanese leadership.
The visit also follows Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's three-day visit to Bhutan, which began earlier this week. Kumar met King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in Thimphu as part of efforts to strengthen institutional cooperation between the Election Commission of India and the Election Commission of Bhutan.
UNI AAB RSA
Tags: #Jaishankar to meet Bhutan King# PM to deepen bilateral ties
More News

US Vice President JD Vance says Washington can't allow its 'Middle East policy to become subservient' to Israel

16 Sep 2026 | 6:03 PM

Washington, Sep 16 (UNI) US Vice President JD Vance said Washington cannot allow its "Middle East policy to become subservient" to Israel and should instead put American interests first.

see more..

Epstein Files scandal threatens to make its return as one GOP lawmaker secures almost enough votes to open another vote

16 Sep 2026 | 5:56 PM

Washington, Sep 16 (UNI) The Epstein Files controversy which froze the White House last year last year is threatening to return, with Rep Thomas Massie now just one Republican signature away from securing enough GOP support to force another vote.

see more..

An aging US Congress faces greater pressure to regulate AI even as half its members have barely ever used it

16 Sep 2026 | 5:09 PM

Washington, Sep 16 (UNI) Members of Congress and governors are facing growing pressure to regulate AI, even as more than two dozen elected officials who spoke to Axios said they either do not use the technology or have done so only rarely.

see more..

Wang Yi, Araghchi hold talks in Beijing amid West Asia tensions

16 Sep 2026 | 5:07 PM

Beijing, Sep 16 (UNI) Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Beijing on Wednesday, with the two sides discussing bilateral ties and regional and international issues amid continuing tensions in West Asia.

see more..

16 Sep 2026 | 4:09 PM

Washington, Sep 16 (UNI) The US House of Representatives advanced legislation that would give President Donald Trump authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries that purchase Russian oil and gas, potentially exposing major buyers such as India and China to higher duties.

see more..