Modi a friendly person, visit to further strengthen ties: Bhutan PM

Thimphu, Jun 15: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday began a two-day visit to Bhutan, the Bhutanese leadership has described the Indian leader as "a friendly person and well disposed towards Bhutan" and as one who "gives a sense of purpose and hope".

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay said that even though there are no specific issues to discuss during the meeting with Modi from Bhutan's side, all commitments made and the generous support that the government receives from India will be discussed, according to The Bhutanese daily.

Tobgay described the Indian prime minister as: "He is a friendly person and obviously very knowledgeable and well disposed towards Bhutan. He holds our kings in very high esteem. He is very aware of the details of the India-Bhutan relationship and overall gives a sense of purpose and hope."

Tobgay, in response to a question on hydropower, said that both the prime ministers would discuss the situation "which is good as of now".

Modi "had expressed his concerns over the delay in some hydropower projects. A concern which has gone well in Thimphu, as the government is anxious to start and complete the mega projects at the earliest dates possible," The Bhutanese quoted Tobgay as saying.

He said that "Bhutan looks forward to strengthening the economic partnership with India and to strengthen the Bhutanese economy. Tobgay said that the Indian assistance, in the form of Nu 45 bn or Rs.4,500 crore for Bhutan's 11th Plan would translate into more economic activities and growth for Bhutan".

While he was in Delhi last month for Modi's swearing in, Tobgay had met the chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and they had agreed that they should exchange visits and draw up a plan of action to encourage investments from India into Bhutan, he said.

According to him, a CII delegation would be coming to Bhutan, which already has a framework in place in the form of the Economic Development Policy.

He said that Indian companies are already investing in Bhutan and that Bhutan needs to fast track its work with the Indian private sector, The Bhutanese said.

Tobgay said Bhutan has made all arrangements to welcome Prime Minister Modi warmly, in keeping with the good ties between the two countries. He said the visit would take the friendship between two countries to further heights.

In an earlier interview to the daily, Tobgay had declared Modi's decision to visit Bhutan as being historic. He said that Bhutan was extremely happy and proud of the fact that Modi has chosen to visit Bhutan first, when not only the SAARC region, but the entire world was watching.

According to a Bhutanese foreign ministry press release, the visit is highly significant as it is Prime Minister Modi's first visit abroad after his swearing-in ceremony as the prime minister of India. The release says that the visit will further strengthen the unique and special ties of friendship and cooperation between Bhutan and India, said The Bhutanese.

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Pak jail authorities say Imran Khan is alive and healthy after ‘murder’ rumours spark panic

News Network

November 27,2025

Authorities at Pakistan’s high-security Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Wednesday dismissed speculation about the condition of imprisoned former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, rejecting rumours that he had been moved out of the facility or was in danger. Officials said Khan was in “good health” and described the viral death claims as “baseless.”

“There is no truth to reports about his transfer from Adiala Jail,” the Rawalpindi prison administration said in a statement, according to Geo News. “He is fully healthy and receiving complete medical attention.”

Amid swirling rumours on social media, Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), urged the federal government to issue an official clarification and demanded that authorities allow his family to meet him immediately, Dawn reported.

The frenzy began after Khan’s three sisters called for an impartial probe into what they described as a “brutal” police assault on them and other PTI supporters outside Adiala Jail last week. Soon after, several social media handles circulated unverified claims alleging that Khan had been “killed” inside the prison.

The rumours intensified when a handle named “Afghanistan Times” claimed that “credible sources” had confirmed Khan’s “murder” and that his body had been moved out of the jail — allegations that have not been verified by any credible agency.

Imran Khan, PTI’s patron-in-chief, has been lodged in the Rawalpindi prison since August 2023 in multiple cases. For over a month, an undeclared restriction has prevented family members and senior PTI leaders from meeting him. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has reportedly been denied access despite making seven attempts.

In a letter to Punjab Police Chief Usman Anwar, Khan’s sisters — Noreen Niazi, Aleema Khan, and Dr. Uzma Khan — said they were “peacefully protesting” outside the jail when police allegedly launched an unprovoked assault after streetlights were switched off.

“At 71, I was seized by my hair, thrown to the ground and dragged across the road,” Noreen Niazi said, alleging that other women present were also slapped and manhandled.

Adiala Jail officials reiterated that speculation over Imran Khan’s health was unfounded and insisted that his well-being was being ensured, Geo News reported.

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