Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay Says He Sees PM Modi as Elder Brother and Avatar of Vishnu

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay has described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an elder brother and mentor, while recalling that he has previously referred to him as an avatar of Lord Vishnu.

In an opinion article published in *Hindustan Times*, Tobgay praised Modi's 25 years in public office and said India's engagement with neighbouring countries had remained an important focus of his leadership. He also credited the Prime Minister with strengthening the voice of the Global South and supporting the African Union's inclusion as a permanent member of the G20.

Tobgay said India's development has implications beyond its own borders, arguing that a stronger Indian economy could provide greater markets, capital and technology while giving the region and the Global South greater influence in global affairs.

Recalling his personal relationship with Modi, Tobgay said he had long considered him an elder brother and had increasingly viewed him as a mentor whose public service had influenced his own approach to leadership.

He recalled meeting Modi in 2019 and telling him that he viewed him as an avatar of Vishnu. When the two met again in New Delhi on March 14, 2024, Tobgay said he revisited that earlier statement and concluded that he had not been mistaken.

According to Tobgay, he told Modi that he believed he had identified the specific avatar as Kalki, whom Hindu tradition associates with the restoration of dharma and the overcoming of disorder.

The Bhutanese Prime Minister also highlighted the longstanding relationship between India and Bhutan, saying that "Viksit Bharat" and "Viksit Bhutan" were closely connected.

Tobgay recalled that Modi chose Bhutan for his first foreign visit after becoming Prime Minister in 2014. He said Modi had described the bilateral relationship through the phrase "B4B", meaning Bharat for Bhutan and Bhutan for Bharat.

He credited India's support under successive Bhutanese Five-Year Plans with helping his governments pursue development programmes. Tobgay noted that when he returned as Prime Minister in 2024, India increased its support for Bhutan's 13th Five-Year Plan to Rs 10,000 crore.

According to Tobgay, cooperation between the two countries now covers areas including education, healthcare, infrastructure, hydropower, technology, agriculture and entrepreneurship.

He also highlighted India's support for the Bhutanese King's vision for the Gelephu Mindfulness City. Tobgay said Modi had pledged India's full support for the project, with cooperation already taking shape through rail connectivity, border infrastructure and improvements in air and digital links.

Tobgay added that Indian companies had responded to the initiative by investing in Bhutan's economic development, with several leading businesses joining the Gelephu Mindfulness City project as founding members.