Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck offered prayers to the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha at the Tashichhodzong monastery in Thimphu on Tuesday.
Local monks chanted during the ceremony, reflecting the centuries-old cultural and spiritual ties between India and Bhutan.
India sent the sacred relics, now enshrined at the Grand Kuenrey Hall, as a special gesture to commemorate the 70th birth anniversary of Bhutan’s Fourth King and the Global Peace Prayer Festival. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement that both leaders “sought blessings from the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha amid prayers and chants by monks.”
Buddhism continues to be a unifying thread between the two Himalayan neighbours. Thousands of Bhutanese pilgrims travel to Buddhist sites across India, including Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Sarnath, and Sikkim, each year.
To celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations, Bhutan’s Je Khenpo led the groundbreaking for a Bhutanese temple in Rajgir and consecrated it in September 2025.
Additionally, the Asiatic Society of Kolkata loaned a revered statue of Zhabdrung, the founder of Bhutan, for exhibition at Simtokha Dzong.
PM Modi’s Deepening Engagement with Bhutan
Prime Minister Modi’s visit continues his long-standing engagement with Bhutan, which began with his first official overseas visit in 2014.
He paid a State Visit to Bhutan in 2019 and received Bhutan’s highest civilian honour, the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, during his March 2024 visit.
The award recognised his contribution to India-Bhutan friendship, his people-centric leadership, and India’s growing global influence. PM Modi had dedicated the honour to the 1.4 billion people of Bharat, calling it a symbol of the two nations’ enduring partnership.
Nearly 50,000 Indians are currently employed in Bhutan in sectors such as infrastructure, hydropower, education, and commerce, underscoring the robust people-to-people ties. Their contribution, both governments affirm, continues to shape the shared vision of prosperity and peace in the Himalayan region.
Also Read: ‘Will Never Forget This Gesture’: PM Modi Thanks Bhutan For prayers To Delhi Blast Victims
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