Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay has lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 25 years in public service, describing India’s development journey under his leadership as increasingly significant not only for India but also for its neighbours and the wider Global South. In an article in Hindi Daily, Mr Tobgay said the vision of a Viksit Bharat has implications well beyond India’s borders, particularly for countries such as Bhutan. Mr Tobgay highlighted Prime Minister Modi’s approach of placing India’s neighbours at the centre of the country’s international engagement. He also praised Modi’s efforts to champion the interests of the Global South, including the convening of the Voice of Global South Summits and India’s successful initiative to bring the African Union into the G20 as a permanent member.
According to Mr Tobgay, the philosophy of “B4B” ‘Bharat for Bhutan’ can now be seen across the Himalayan kingdom. He pointed to India’s support in several sectors, including schools and hospitals, roads and bridges, hydropower, technology, agriculture and enterprise. However, Mr Tobgay said the partnership has become particularly significant as major development initiatives have been envisioned for the development of Bhutan. Bhutan Prime Minister said, Mr Modi has pledged India’s full support for the project, and that commitment is already taking shape through cooperation on rail links, border infrastructure, as well as improved air and digital connectivity.
Mr Tobgay also recalled the role played by India in Bhutan’s successive Five-Year Plans. He said India’s assistance during Bhutan’s 11th Five-Year Plan helped his first government implement an ambitious development programme. He added that Modi continued the partnership during Bhutan’s 12th Plan. He noted that after his returned to office in 2024, India increased its support for Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan to 10,000 crore rupees. Mr Tobgay also argued that India’s economic growth will have a direct impact on its ability to contribute to the development of neighbouring countries. He recalled that in June 2014, only weeks after becoming Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi selected Bhutan as the destination for his first foreign visit.
This is a news report by Akashvani News (All India Radio), reproduced as issued.
