Bhutan stands with India: King leads mass prayer for Delhi blast victims

Bhutan has expressed strong solidarity with India following the deadly car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort that killed eight people and injured several others. On Tuesday, Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck led a mass prayer ceremony in Thimphu, offering prayers for the victims and their families. The prayer gathering, held at one of the country’s largest monasteries, was attended by senior members of the royal family, government officials, monks, and citizens. Buddhist monks chanted traditional healing prayers, while attendees lit butter lamps in remembrance of those who lost their lives.

In a message released by Bhutan’s Royal Palace, the King said the tragedy was “deeply saddening” and emphasized Bhutan’s enduring friendship with India. “In moments of hardship and sorrow, Bhutan stands firmly with the people of India. We pray for peace, healing, and strength,” the statement read.

The Indian embassy in Thimphu thanked Bhutan for the gesture, noting that the two nations share not only a long border but also a “close bond rooted in trust, cultural ties, and mutual respect.”
The show of support comes as India continues to investigate the explosion, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described as a “planned attack.” He has vowed that those responsible “will not escape justice.” Security across New Delhi and neighbouring states remains heightened, while forensic teams and counter-terrorism agencies work to establish the source of the explosive and identities of those involved.

Bhutan and India have historically shared strong diplomatic and cultural relations, with Bhutan often being among the first nations to offer solidarity during crises.