India Grants Land for Bhutanese Monastery in Varanasi

In a move highlighting deep spiritual and cultural ties, India has announced a land grant in Varanasi for the construction of a Bhutanese monastery and guesthouse. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Bhutan to mark King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck’s 70th birth anniversary celebrations in Thimphu. The initiative symbolises a new chapter in the enduring Buddhist connection between the two Himalayan nations.

A Sacred Centre Along the Ganga

The proposed monastery will be built near the banks of the Ganga River in Varanasi, India’s spiritual capital. It will serve as a centre for spiritual learning, meditation, and cultural exchange, providing Bhutanese monks and pilgrims with a dedicated space in the holy city. Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay described the project as “a bridge of faith that connects the spiritual heart of India with the soul of Bhutan,” emphasising its symbolic and cultural importance.

Part of ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy

Prime Minister Modi stated that the land grant reflects the essence of India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy and shared Buddhist heritage. The Bhutanese monastery is expected to strengthen people-to-people contact and religious tourism between the two nations. The initiative also underlines India’s commitment to supporting Bhutan’s cultural identity while enhancing mutual understanding through faith-based diplomacy.

New Bilateral Projects and Agreements

The announcement coincided with several other key developments in Indo-Bhutan relations. India extended a Rs 4,000-crore line of credit to Bhutan for developmental projects and inaugurated the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydropower Project. Both sides also agreed to resume work on the long-delayed Punatsangchhu-I project. Three new agreements were signed covering renewable energy, mental-health research, and medical capacity-building — expanding cooperation into social and scientific sectors.

Exam Oriented Facts

• The Bhutanese monastery will be built near the banks of the Ganga in Varanasi.
• Prime Minister Modi announced the land grant during his Bhutan visit in November 2025.
• India extended a Rs 4,000-crore line of credit to Bhutan for development projects.
• The 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydropower Project was inaugurated during the same visit.

Symbol of Shared Buddhist Heritage

The monastery adds a spiritual dimension to India–Bhutan relations, complementing economic and developmental cooperation. Bhutan’s ongoing Global Peace Prayer Festival, supported by India and led by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, received an added blessing as India sent a sacred relic of Lord Buddha for public veneration. Together, these gestures reaffirm the nations’ shared commitment to peace, faith, and cultural continuity in South Asia.