Thimphu [Bhutan]: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday met Bhutan’s fourth and former King, Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and later jointly inaugurated the Kalachakra Empowerment ceremony in Thimphu, underscoring the deep spiritual and cultural bond shared between India and Bhutan.
The Kalachakra, among Tibetan Buddhism’s most sacred and intricate rituals, is being observed as a three-day empowerment ceremony. It grants blessings and authorisations for advanced meditative practices aimed at attaining enlightenment.
The event is part of the Global Peace Prayer Festival 2025, hosted by the Royal Government of Bhutan from November 4 to 17.
Prime Minister Modi is on a two-day visit to Bhutan, from November 11–12, during which he will participate in several official programmes, including the Global Peace Prayer Festival and celebrations marking the 70th birthday of Bhutan’s fourth King.
Described as a landmark spiritual gathering, the festival has drawn Buddhist leaders, practitioners, and peace advocates from across the globe. The Kalachakra Initiation and Empowerment ceremony is being led by Je Khenpo, Bhutan’s senior religious hierarch, who will deliver profound teachings on the sacred connection between human beings and the universe, as well as the inherent Buddha nature within all.
Earlier, on Tuesday, PM Modi held wide-ranging discussions with Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, covering areas such as energy, defence, technology, capacity building, and connectivity.
“Had a very good meeting with His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan. We covered the full range of India-Bhutan relations… India is proud to be a key partner in Bhutan’s development journey,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X.
During the visit, PM Modi and King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck jointly inaugurated the Punatsangchhu-II Hydropower Project, which the Prime Minister described as an “enduring symbol” of the enduring friendship between New Delhi and Thimphu.
“Fuelling development, deepening friendship, and driving sustainability! Energy cooperation remains a key pillar of the India-Bhutan partnership,” PM Modi wrote on X.
He also announced the setting up of an immigration checkpoint at Hatisar, opposite Bhutan’s Gelephu region, to enhance connectivity and facilitate smoother cross-border movement.
Further strengthening Bhutan’s development cooperation, India extended a line of credit worth ₹4,000 crore to the Himalayan nation and oversaw the exchange of three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).
Bhutan’s Global Peace Prayer Festival stands as a historic occasion of unity, faith, and collective healing — delivering a message of compassion, devotion, and hope amid a divided global landscape.
