In post-BRICS outreach, Jaishankar reaches Bhutan; Nepal Finance Minister to arrive in Delhi on September 17
Delhi intensifies neighbourhood outreach post-BRICS summit, where region was not represented
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Bhutan on September 16, 2026, for a two-day visit to discuss India's development assistance. During his stay, he met with Bhutan Foreign Minister Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel in Bumthang, Bhutan, to advance the countries' multifaceted engagement in areas such as development partnership, energy, trade, connectivity, culture, and people-to-people ties.
The ministers also laid the foundation stone for a hydropower project, inaugurated a bridge, and opened a hospital in different parts of the country.
Meanwhile, Nepal Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle will arrive in Delhi on September 17, 2026, for talks that are expected to address India's support for Nepal's reconstruction efforts following devastating floods that claimed nearly 1,400 lives. The government has already dispatched over 130 tonnes of relief material and 54 expert personnel to Nepal to aid in rescue, relief, and forensic operations. The Indian government has also approved the export of power to the flood-affected areas.
The visits come shortly after the BRICS Summit, which saw India hosting leaders from over 20 countries. However, none of India's neighbors from the region were invited, a move that has been criticized as a missed opportunity. The government's focus during BRICS preparations was on representing "Global South" countries, including regional grouping chairs from the developing world.
Despite the absence of South Asian leaders at the BRICS summit, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs clarified that Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had received a separate invitation.
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