PM Modi’s Bhutan Visit Postponed: New Dates Under Diplomatic Review

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Bhutan on March 21-22 has been postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions over Paro airport, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Wednesday.

“Due to ongoing inclement weather conditions over Paro airport, it has been mutually decided to postpone the State visit of Prime Minister to Bhutan on 21-22 March 2024. New dates are being worked out by the two sides through diplomatic channels,” MEA said in a statement.

 

The Prime Minister was set to go on a two-day visit to Bhutan on March 21. The government had earlier said that the visit was going to focus on regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan with emphasis on its Neighborhood First Policy.

During the visit, PM Modi will meet Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and his predecessor Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

Modi will also hold talks with his counterpart Tshering Tobgay. In his first overseas visit after assuming office in February 2024, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tobgay visited India earlier this month.

Earlier, King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, also paid an official tour to India and visited Assam, New Delhi, and Maharashtra in November 2023. The King of Bhutan too had extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi to pay an official visit to Bhutan.

During his visit, the King of Bhutan and PM Modi held discussions on the entire gamut of bilateral cooperation and regional and global issues of mutual interest.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): PM Modi’s Bhutan Visit Postponed: New Dates Under Diplomatic Review

Q: Why was PM Modi’s visit to Bhutan postponed?
A: PM Modi’s visit to Bhutan was postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions over Paro airport.

Q: When was PM Modi scheduled to visit Bhutan?
A: PM Modi was scheduled to visit Bhutan on March 21-22, 2024.

Q: What was the purpose of PM Modi’s visit to Bhutan?
A: The visit aimed to focus on regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan, emphasizing India’s Neighborhood First Policy.

Q: Who were the key figures PM Modi was expected to meet during his visit to Bhutan?
A: PM Modi was expected to meet Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, his predecessor Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and his counterpart Tshering Tobgay.

Q: What discussions were planned during PM Modi’s visit to Bhutan?
A: Discussions on bilateral cooperation and regional and global issues of mutual interest were planned during PM Modi’s visit to Bhutan.

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Table: Previous High-Level Visits between India and Bhutan

Date	Visitor	Locations Visited
November 2023	King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck	Assam, New Delhi, Maharashtra
February 2024	Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay	India

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This article outlines the postponement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bhutan and provides context regarding the visit’s significance and the relationships between India and Bhutan. As the new dates for the visit are being discussed, both countries are expected to continue their diplomatic dialogue and strengthen their ties.