General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the ArmyStaff , commenced a three-day official visit to Bhutan today, from June 30 to July 2, 2025. The visit aims to reinforce the longstanding defense partnership between the two nations under the framework of the 2007 India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty, which grants India a guiding role in Bhutan’s defense affairs.
The visit comes at a time of rising geopolitical concerns, particularly due to China’s continued territorial advances along Bhutan’s northern border. A study published in the Journal of Asian Studies noted that Bhutan has ceded nearly 269 square kilometers of land to China since 1990. India’s involvement is seen as critical in preserving Bhutan’s territorial integrity, a stance highlighted during the 2017 Doklam standoff when Indian troops intervened to prevent Chinese road construction near the sensitive tri-junction area shared by India, Bhutan, and China.
General Dwivedi’s itinerary is expected to include high-level meetings with Bhutanese defense and government officials. The discussions are likely to focus on expanding joint military exercises and incorporating advanced technologies into defense protocols. Defense analysts have reported a 30 percent increase in Indo-Bhutan military coordination since 2017, signaling growing alignment in security strategy.
This visit not only strengthens defense cooperation but also underscores the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and strategic ties between India and Bhutan. The move is being viewed as a decisive step toward maintaining regional stability in the Eastern Himalayas amidst intensifying external pressures.
