“I See PM Modi as an Avatar of Vishnu”: Bhutan PM
Tshering Tobgay calls Modi an elder brother and mentor, praises his neighbourhood-first approach and support for Bhutan
- Bhutan PM calls Modi an “avatar of Vishnu”
- Tobgay describes Modi as elder brother and mentor
- India’s support for Bhutan praised
- Gelephu project emerges as key cooperation area
GG News Bureau
Thimpu, 7th Oct: Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay has described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an elder brother and mentor, saying he has come to regard him as an “avatar of Vishnu” for his leadership and public service.
In an opinion article titled “Modi’s leadership reflects wisdom, courage, empathy” published in Hindustan Times, Tobgay praised Modi’s 25 years of continuous service as a head of government and highlighted India’s engagement with its neighbours under his leadership.
Tobgay said India’s growing strength matters beyond its own borders and argued that a more developed India would provide larger markets, greater access to capital and technology, and stronger influence for advancing the interests of the region and the Global South.
“My elder brother and mentor”
Recalling his personal relationship with Modi, Tobgay said he had long regarded the Indian Prime Minister as an elder brother and had increasingly come to see him as a mentor whose example as a public servant had guided him.
He recalled telling Modi in 2019 that he viewed him as an avatar of Vishnu. During another meeting in Delhi in March 2024, Tobgay said he reflected on those earlier remarks and concluded that he had been right.
He described the avatar he had in mind as Kalki, associated in Hindu tradition with overcoming disorder, restoring dharma and ushering in renewal.
Praise for India’s Global South role
Tobgay also credited Modi with strengthening India’s engagement with neighbouring countries and amplifying the voice of the Global South.
He highlighted the Voice of Global South Summits and India’s efforts that led to the African Union becoming a permanent member of the G20.
“Viksit Bharat matters beyond India,” Tobgay said, arguing that a stronger Indian economy could create greater opportunities for neighbouring countries through markets, investment, technology and regional cooperation.
B4B: “Bharat for Bhutan; Bhutan for Bharat”
Tobgay recalled Modi’s first foreign visit after becoming Prime Minister in June 2014, when he chose Bhutan.
According to Tobgay, Modi summed up the relationship through the phrase “B4B: Bharat for Bhutan; Bhutan for Bharat.”
Tobgay said the partnership had continued through Bhutan’s development plans, including Indian assistance during its 11th and 12th Five-Year Plans.
He noted that after returning as Bhutan’s Prime Minister in 2024, India doubled its support for Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan to ₹10,000 crore.
Cooperation expands across sectors
Tobgay said the India-Bhutan partnership now extends across education, healthcare, infrastructure, hydropower, technology, agriculture and enterprise.
He particularly highlighted India’s support for the Bhutanese King’s vision of the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC).
According to Tobgay, India’s support is taking shape through proposed rail links, border infrastructure and improvements in air and digital connectivity.
He also said Indian businesses have responded to the initiative, with leading companies investing in Bhutan’s economic transformation and joining the Gelephu Mindfulness City project as founding members.
Tobgay said the India-Bhutan relationship demonstrates how a stronger India can contribute to opportunities and development beyond its own borders.
