In a March 14 column for the Hindustan Times, Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi his elder brother and avatar of Vishnu, a metaphor that underscored the deep personal and diplomatic ties between the two leaders.
Tobgay, who has served as Bhutan's head of government since 2013, used the language of mythology to highlight Modi’s 25 years at the helm of India and his record of prioritizing regional partners.
Under the B4B framework, inaugurated when Modi made his first foreign visit to Bhutan in June 2014, India pledged Rs 10,000 crore to Bhutan’s 13th Five‑Year Plan, doubling aid from the previous cycle and funding projects in hydropower, infrastructure, and digital connectivity.
Both leaders are scheduled to meet on March 14, 2024, to review progress on the Gelephu Mindfulness City initiative, rail links, and border infrastructure, and to discuss further investment from Indian businesses in Bhutan's economic transformation.