The strong spiritual and cultural connect between India and Bhutan will be on focus during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day state visit to Thimphu beginning on Tuesday, as well as on enhancing cooperation in energy, infrastructure and development.

Prime Minister Modi’s visit coincides with the exposition of the `Sacred Piprahwa Relics’ of Lord Buddha from India.

On Saturday, the holy relics of Lord Buddha were received at a ceremony attended by the Bhutanese PM Tshering Tobgay, and were enshrined at Tashichhodzong, the Buddhist monastery located in Thimphu, where they will be kept for public veneration till November 17.

“Heartfelt appreciation to the people and leadership of Bhutan for the reverent welcome accorded to the Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha from India,” PM Modi said in a post on X on Sunday, adding that the teachings of Lord Buddha are a sacred link between the two nations' shared spiritual heritage.

PM Modi, during his visit to Thimphu, will offer prayers to the Holy Relics at Tashichhodzong and participate in the Global Peace Prayer Festival organised by the Royal Government of Bhutan.

Buddhism forms a strong spiritual bond connecting the two nations, with numerous pilgrims from Bhutan visiting India, the land of the Buddha.

Earlier, in September, the Prime Minister of Bhutan along with Bhutanese spiritual head Je Khenpo had attended the inauguration of the Royal Bhutan Buddhist Temple at Rajgir in Bihar, where the Buddha had spent considerable time. The temple project had been initiated in 2018.

The Bhutanese PM Tshering Tobgay also visited Ayodhya and offered prayers at the Ram Temple.

Earlier in February, the Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck had visited the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, and taken a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam and participated in religious rituals, accompanied by the UP CM Yogi Adityanath. The visit was at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi.

These instances serve to emphasise the strong spiritual and cultural connect between the two nations, that will see reinforcement during the visit of PM Modi.

The PM will also meet the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay. During the visit, Prime Minister Modi will receive audience with the Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, and the two leaders will inaugurate the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project, developed jointly by India and the Bhutan government.

Prime Minister Modi will also attend the celebrations dedicated to the 70th birth anniversary of former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan, who abdicated the throne 20 years ago, as part of a planned transition to democracy.

As part of fostering closer ties, India and Bhutan are also setting up two cross-border railway links – the Kokrajhar-Gelephu and Banarhat-Samtse rail lines, being funded by India. The project was announced in September.

In 2024, PM Modi received the Order of the Druk Gyalpo, Bhutan’s highest civilian decoration, from the Bhutanese King in recognition of his outstanding contribution to strengthening the bilateral friendship. PM Modi is the first foreign national to be conferred this prestigious award.

“India and Bhutan share a unique and exemplary partnership marked by deep mutual trust, goodwill and respect for each other. The shared spiritual heritage and warm people-to-people ties are a hallmark of the special partnership. Prime Minister’s visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to deliberate on ways to further enhance and strengthen our bilateral partnership, and exchange views on regional and wider issues of mutual interest,” the MEA said.