State Visit to Bhutan by H.E. Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, from 17-18 August 2019

His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of the Republic of India, will be on a two-day State Visit to Bhutan from 17-18 August 2019 at the invitation of Lyonchhen (Dr.) Lotay Tshering, Prime Minister of Bhutan. Prime Minister Modi will be accompanied by senior Government officials of the Government of India.

Prime Minister Modi will receive an Audience with His Majesty The King on 17th August 2019. His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen will host a luncheon in honour of Prime Minister Modi on 18th August 2019 at the Kuenrey of the Tashichhodzong.

Prime Minister Modi will also receive an Audience with His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo on 17th August 2019.

Lyonchhen (Dr.) Lotay Tshering will hold an official level meeting with Prime Minister Modi on 17th August 2019, and also host a banquet dinner in honour of Prime Minister Modi the same evening.

Dr. Pema Gyamtsho, Leader of the Opposition, will call-on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

During the visit, Prime Minister Modi and Lyonchhen (Dr.) Lotay Tshering will jointly inaugurate and launch the following on 17th August 2019 at the Gyalyong Tshogkhang:

1. Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Plant,
2. A stamp commemorating five decades of Indo-Bhutan Hydropower Cooperation,
3. The ‘RuPay’ card,
4. Ground Station for the South Asian Satellite (SAS), and
5. Inter-connection between Indian National Knowledge Network (NKN) and DrukREN.

In addition, the following 9 Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) are expected to be exchanged:

1. MoU on Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation between Aircraft Investigation Unit, Ministry of Information & Communications, RGoB, and Aircraft Accident and Investigation Bureau, Ministry of Civil Aviation, GoI.
2. MoUs between the Royal University of Bhutan and four leading Indian Universities in Kanpur, Delhi, Silchar and Bombay.
3. MoU between National Legal Institute of Bhutan and the National Judicial Academy of India.
4. MoU between Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law (JSW Law) and the National School of India University (NSLIU).
5. MoU between Department of Information Technology and Telecom (DITT), Ministry of Information & Communications, and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
6. MoU between National Knowledge Network of India and Druk Research and Education Network.

Prime Minister Modi will visit the Semtokha Dzong that houses the statue of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, which has been loaned to Bhutan by the Government of India. He will also plant a tree sapling at the premises of the Semtokha Dzong. The Prime Minister will also visit the National Memorial Chorten where he will offer prayers and butter lamps.

On the morning of 18th August 2019, Prime Minister Modi will deliver an address to the students at the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) at the RUB Convention Hall. The address will also be attended by an audience comprising Ministers, Members of Parliament, and senior officials of the Royal Government.

This is Prime Minister Modi’s second State Visit to Bhutan. His first State Visit to Bhutan took place in June 2014 soon after assuming office as Prime Minister. The upcoming visit is in keeping with the long-established tradition of regular exchange of visits at the highest levels between Bhutan and India. Prime Minister Modi’s visit will further strengthen the already existing close ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
9th August 2019