PM Modi thanks Bhutan King for dedicating 76th stupa to him in Gelephu
Synopsis
In a rare diplomatic honour, Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck dedicated the 76th of 108 newly consecrated stupas in Gelephu Mindfulness City to Prime Minister Narendra Modi — a gesture Modi accepted on behalf of all Indians, calling the Jangchub Chorten an enduring symbol of shared spiritual and civilisational heritage.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi accepted the dedication of the 76th stupa in Gelephu Mindfulness City on behalf of India on 3 November 2026 .
Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju unveiled the plaque dedicating the stupa to Modi on 1 November 2026 .
A total of 108 stupas , each 15 metres tall and separated by 108 metres , were raised in a single day along the Aie (Mau) river near the Assam border.
India approved a special temporary immigration facility at Hatisar, Assam to support the event, and has committed to a permanent Immigration Check Post there.
External Affairs Minister S.
Jaishankar had already reaffirmed India's support for the Gelephu vision during his visit to Bhutan in September 2026 .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, 3 November 2026 expressed deep gratitude to Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck for honouring him with the dedication of a stupa in Gelephu Mindfulness City, saying he accepted the gesture on behalf of all Indians. The Jangchub Chorten — the 76th among 108 stupas erected in a single day — was formally dedicated to the Prime Minister on 1 November 2026, in a ceremony attended by Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who represented the Indian government.
The Dedication Ceremony
The Bhutan King and Kiren Rijiju jointly unveiled a plaque dedicating the 76th stupa to Prime Minister Modi during the raising and consecration of 108 stupas in Gelephu Mindfulness City. Thousands of volunteers erected the stupas in a single day, each standing 15 metres tall and separated by 108 metres, along the Aie (Mau) river near the Assam border. Rijiju expressed his 'heartfelt gratitude' to the Bhutan King for the gesture and reaffirmed India's support for the Gelephu Mindfulness City project.
What PM Modi Said
Responding to the honour via Facebook, Modi said he was 'deeply touched by the special gesture of warmth and generosity of the Bhutan King and the people of Bhutan.' He added: 'I accept this with deep gratitude on behalf of the people of India. The Jangchub Chorten shall remain an enduring symbol of our shared spiritual and civilisational heritage and the special bonds of friendship between our people.'
King Namgyel Wangchuck's Words
King Namgyel Wangchuck described the dedication as a reflection of his 'profound appreciation for Prime Minister Modi's unwavering commitment and India's steadfast support for the realisation of the King's vision of Gelephu Mindfulness City.' The stupa, the King indicated, is meant to stand as a lasting marker of the bilateral relationship between the two neighbouring nations.
India's Broader Support for Gelephu
India's backing for the Gelephu Mindfulness City project extends beyond symbolism. The Centre approved a special temporary immigration facility at Hatisar in Assam — directly across from Gelephu — to facilitate the movement of third-country nationals for the consecration event. India has also committed to setting up a permanent Immigration Check Post at Hatisar to ease the entry of investors and visitors to Gelephu. Notably, in September 2026, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had reaffirmed the Indian government's support for the Gelephu vision during his visit to Bhutan. The gesture and India's logistical backing together signal that the India-Bhutan relationship remains among New Delhi's closest diplomatic partnerships.
Point of View
And India's logistical and diplomatic scaffolding around it — immigration posts, ministerial representation, EAM visits — suggests New Delhi sees the project as a strategic anchor for its 'Neighbourhood First' policy. What this moment underscores is that the India-Bhutan partnership is functioning on a level of personal and civilisational trust that most of India's other neighbourhood relationships demonstrably lack. The risk, as always, is that symbolic warmth substitutes for the harder economic and infrastructural commitments Bhutan will need as it builds Gelephu from the ground up.
NationPress
4 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which stupa in Gelephu Mindfulness City was dedicated to PM Modi?
The 76th of 108 newly raised stupas in Gelephu Mindfulness City, known as the Jangchub Chorten, was dedicated to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 1 November 2026. Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju unveiled the dedicatory plaque at the ceremony.
What is Gelephu Mindfulness City?
Gelephu Mindfulness City is a major sovereign development project envisioned by Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, located near the Assam border. It is designed as a large-scale mindfulness-centred urban development, and India has pledged logistical and diplomatic support for its realisation.
How did PM Modi respond to the stupa dedication?
PM Modi said on Facebook that he was 'deeply touched' by the gesture and accepted the honour on behalf of the people of India. He described the Jangchub Chorten as 'an enduring symbol of our shared spiritual and civilisational heritage and the special bonds of friendship between our people.'
What support has India extended to Gelephu Mindfulness City?
India approved a special temporary immigration facility at Hatisar in Assam to support the consecration event and has committed to establishing a permanent Immigration Check Post there to ease movement of investors and visitors. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also reaffirmed India's support during his visit to Bhutan in September 2026.
Who represented India at the stupa consecration ceremony in Bhutan?
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju represented the Indian government at the ceremony, during which 108 stupas were raised and consecrated in Gelephu Mindfulness City on 1 November 2026.
