Assam News: Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck Visits Jogighopa IWT Terminal, Strengthens Bilateral Ties

Guwahati, April 19: Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck Saturday morning visits Assam's International Multimodal Logistics Park (IMLP) in Jogighopa, Bongaigaon district, marking a pivotal moment in Indo-Bhutan relations. The visit emphasizes trade and connectivity, aligning with Bhutan's developmental vision.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan, to Assam during his visit to the under-construction International Multimodal Logistics Park (IMLP) in Jogighopa, Bongaigaon district.

The high-profile visit marks a key moment in Indo-Bhutan bilateral ties, particularly in the areas of trade, connectivity, and regional development.

A very warm welcome to His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan to Assam. The Jogighopa MMLP will be a game-changer for the larger Indo-Bhutan region and ensure seamless trade and logistics movement. It will also aid in the development of the Gelephu… https://t.co/QazhbXy9vx

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) April 19, 2025

Taking to his official X handle, CM Sarma wrote, “His Majesty's visit underscores the shared interests and close ties between the State of Assam and Bhutan for a better future for our people.”

The terminal holds strategic importance as it is located at a distance of 91 km from Gelephu in Bhutan, 108 km from Bangladesh border and 147 km from Guwahati. This makes it crucial for India’s bilateral trade ties with Bangladesh and Bhutan. The Jogighopa terminal is also one of the declared Ports of call under PIWT&T between India and Bangladesh. By the year 2027, this terminal is expected to handle a cargo of 1.1 million tonnes per annum.

Built at a cost of more than ₹82 crores, the Jogighopa terminal has an RCC jetty with an RCC approach designed for Electric Level Luffing (ELL) crane for cargo handling. The terminal also has infrastructural facilities such as administrative building, customs office building, immigration office, truck parking area, 1100 sqm covered storage area with power back up, and 11,000 sqm open storage.

Earlier, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi applauded the IWT Terminal as “a noteworthy addition in our quest for improving infrastructure as well as encouraging inland waterways for progress & prosperity.”

The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the IWT Terminal at Jogighopa on 18 February, 2025, along with Lyonpo Namgyal Dorji, the Minister of Industries, Commerce & Employment in the Royal Government of Bhutan. Cargo movement commenced from that day from IWT Jogighopa confirming its operation for business.

Speaking on the visit, the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, “It is a historic moment when the King of Bhutan, His Excellence Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk ji visited the recently inaugurated IWT Jogighopa terminal as well as the Jogighopa Multi Modal Logistical Park (MMLP). Both the projects are aligned with the vision of PM Narendra Modi ji’s Act East policy for an inclusive growth and sustainable development. This visit further deepens the long standing friendship, trust, and share prosperity for both India and Bhutan.”

Among those who were present, the Minister of Assam Govt, Jayanta Malla Baruah; the Chief Secretary, Govt of Assam, Ravi Kota; the Director, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) among other senior officials of District Administration and IWAI, besides the officials from Royal Govt of Bhutan.