New Delhi, Jun 26: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday met Bhutan’s Education and Skills Development Minister Yeezang De Thapa, emphasising the expanding scope of India-Bhutan collaboration in education, skills, and knowledge partnerships.

Delighted to meet H.E. Yeezang De Thapa, Hon'ble Minister of Education and Skills Development of Bhutan for a thoughtful exchange on deepening India-Bhutan cooperation in education, skills and knowledge partnerships.

Our discussions focused on training of teachers, skilling and… pic.twitter.com/lH4Jc2FchZ

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) June 26, 2026

In a post on X, Pradhan described the meeting as a “thoughtful exchange” on deepening bilateral collaboration in education, skills, and knowledge partnerships. Discussions focused on teacher training, skilling and employability, digital education and artificial intelligence, sustainable tourism, traditional medicine, and holistic well-being.

Pradhan noted that Bhutan is undertaking transformative educational reforms, creating immense potential for both countries to collaborate on larger platforms of learning, innovation, and capacity building. He emphasised that the partnership is anchored in shared aspirations and enduring spiritual bonds.

Highlighting the cultural dimension of the relationship, Pradhan recalled that Guru Padmasambhava — revered across Bhutan as Guru Rinpoche and credited with transmitting Vajrayana Buddhism to the Himalayas — hailed from present-day Sambalpur in Odisha, the constituency he represents in Parliament. “This enduring spiritual connection continues to enrich the friendship between our two peoples,” he said.

The Minister expressed confidence that India and Bhutan can jointly build future-ready, knowledge-based societies that empower youth and address challenges of a rapidly changing world. The collaboration, he added, would not only strengthen educational frameworks but also contribute to sustainable development and cultural exchange.
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The meeting reflects India’s broader emphasis on regional educational partnerships under the National Education Policy (NEP 2020), which prioritises global linkages in skills, innovation, and digital learning. For Bhutan, the engagement offers opportunities to leverage India’s expertise in teacher training, technology-driven education, and vocational skills to support its reform agenda.

Observers note that the dialogue reinforces the strategic and spiritual depth of India-Bhutan ties, combining practical cooperation in education and skills with cultural and historical bonds that continue to shape the relationship.