Bhutanese PM Tshering Tobgay, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck Visit To Gujarat

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, along with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, concluded their three-day visit to Gujarat on Wednesday, aiming to strengthen the bonds of friendship between Bhutan and India.

During the final leg of their visit, the Bhutanese delegation toured GIFT City, a burgeoning global financial and IT services hub near Gandhinagar. Prime Minister Tobgay expressed admiration for the rapid development and advanced infrastructure of the Smart City.

“Today, we visited GIFT City. We are inspired by what has been achieved in such a short time in this Smart City. Our visit here will further strengthen strong ties of friendship between Bhutan and Bharat. On behalf of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan, I would like to thank the Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel for the wonderful arrangements,” said Tobgay in a press conference before departing.

The state government released a statement noting the delegation’s appreciation for the “world-class infrastructure and other high-tech systems such as the district cooling system and utility tunnel.”

Reflecting on their visit to the Statue of Unity on July 22, Tobgay remarked, “I felt like I was on a pilgrimage… to see the gigantic statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and experience Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for India.”

On Tuesday, the delegation visited Adani Group’s flagship infrastructure project sites at Mundra and Khavda. Mundra is home to India’s largest commercial port, while Khavda is the site of the world’s largest renewable energy park.

“Yesterday we visited a giant solar renewable farm at Khavda in Kutch, then Mundra port and the Special Economic Zone. I can see a lot of opportunities for further strengthening the friendship, cooperation, and partnership through these projects,” Tobgay noted.

The Bhutanese Prime Minister also proposed a partnership between India and Bhutan for the development of the ‘Mindfulness City’ planned at Gelephu town in southern Bhutan near the Indian border.

Before departing, King Wangchuck and Prime Minister Tobgay took a helicopter ride to get a bird’s eye view of Ahmedabad. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel bid them farewell at the airport, marking the end of their successful visit to Gujarat.