The former King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck (popularly known as K4), turns 70 on November 11, 2025, and the Indian Prime Minister is visiting Bhutan to attend the celebrations.

Significance of the Visit

• Diplomatic Signal: The visit reflects the depth of India-Bhutan friendship, aligning with India’s Neighbourhood First policy.
• Continuity of Engagement: India’s choice of Bhutan for the Prime Minister’s first foreign visit in 2014 reflected the enduring priority and consistency in India’s neighbourhood-first policy.

Legacy of K4- The Bodhisattva King

• Revered Monarch: Jigme Singye Wangchuck is deeply revered in Bhutan and often referred to as the Bodhisattva King, reflecting the people’s awe, respect and emotional connection with him.
• Early Leadership: K4 assumed the throne at 17 years of age and ruled from 1972 to 2006, shaping Bhutan’s modern political and developmental trajectory.
• Modernisation of Bhutan: K4 is credited with modernising institutions and infrastructure while preserving Bhutan’s cultural identity.
• Democratic Transition: In 2006, K4 voluntarily abdicated in favour of his son (K5), laying the foundations for Bhutan’s transition to democratic constitutional monarchy.

Role of K4 in India–Bhutan Relations

• Strategic Foundations of Bilateral Partnership: K4 recognised early that Bhutan’s primary security threats came from China and therefore strengthened strategic alignment with India.
• Hydropower Diplomacy: K4 visualised hydropower as an economic pillar, using Bhutan’s river systems to generate electricity and sell surplus to India.
  • During the visit, both sides will inaugurate the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II hydro project, a joint India–Bhutan venture funded by India, with costs repaid through electricity exports to India at periodically revised rates.
• Road Connectivity Through BRO: Bhutan initially depended on India’s Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for road construction in difficult terrain, but Bhutanese firms have now developed the capacity and taken full responsibility for building and maintaining the network.
• Development Assistance Beyond Energy: India continues to support Bhutan in infrastructure, community projects, education, and monastery restoration, demonstrating a development partnership that goes beyond hydropower.
• Security Cooperation: Under the India–Bhutan Friendship Treaty, India guarantees Bhutan’s security, exemplified during the 2017 Doklam standoff, when India intervened against China’s road construction on Bhutanese territory.
• Operation All Clear (2003): K4 personally led Operation All Clear, where the Royal Bhutan Army expelled Indian insurgent groups (ULFA, NDFB etc.) from Bhutanese territory, facilitating India’s security operations across the border.

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Conclusion

K4’s 70th birthday is not merely a royal celebration; it symbolises the enduring India–Bhutan friendship, built on shared trust, economic cooperation and security partnership.

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