In a gesture symbolising deep spiritual and cultural bonds, India has granted land in Varanasi for the construction of a Bhutanese monastery and guesthouse. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the decision during his visit to Bhutan to mark King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck’s 70th birth anniversary celebrations in Thimphu. The initiative marks a new chapter in the centuries-old Buddhist connection between the two Himalayan nations.
A Sacred Centre Along the Ganga
The proposed monastery will be established near the banks of the Ganga River in Varanasi, India’s spiritual capital. It will serve as a hub for spiritual learning, meditation, and cultural exchange, providing Bhutanese monks and pilgrims a dedicated space in the holy city.
Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay described the project as “a bridge of faith connecting the spiritual heart of India with the soul of Bhutan.”
Part of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy
Prime Minister Modi said the land grant reflects the spirit of India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy and the nations’ shared Buddhist heritage. The initiative aims to strengthen people-to-people ties and promote religious tourism, reinforcing faith-based diplomacy and cultural cooperation.
New Bilateral Projects and Agreements
The announcement coincided with several new Indo–Bhutan developments:
- India extended a ₹4,000-crore line of credit to Bhutan for developmental projects.
- The 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydropower Project was inaugurated.
- Work on the Punatsangchhu-I Project will resume soon.
- Three new agreements were signed in renewable energy, mental health research, and medical capacity-building.
Key Facts
- The Bhutanese monastery will be built near the Ganga River in Varanasi.
- Land grant announced by PM Modi during his Bhutan visit in November 2025.
- India extended a ₹4,000-crore line of credit to Bhutan.
- Punatsangchhu-II Hydropower Project (1,020 MW) inaugurated.
Symbol of Shared Buddhist Heritage
The monastery adds a profound spiritual dimension to India–Bhutan relations, complementing economic and developmental cooperation.
As part of the Global Peace Prayer Festival in Bhutan, supported by India and led by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, India also sent a sacred relic of Lord Buddha for public veneration — reaffirming both nations’ commitment to peace, faith, and cultural continuity in South Asia