Culture, education and the Indian community in Bhutan

This article covers the cultural, educational and people-to-people links between India and Bhutan: scholarships and study in India, cultural institutions and events, shared Buddhist heritage, the India-Bhutan Foundation and the Indian community in Bhutan. It is based on the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) brief of June 2026, and figures are given as of that brief.

Scholarships and study in India

The brief describes education as a strong pillar of cooperation, through scholarships, support to educational facilities, training opportunities and institutional engagement. The scholarship schemes include:

ICCR Scholarship
Ambassador's Scholarship
Nehru Wangchuck Scholarship
project assistance based Undergraduate Scholarship
Nalanda University Scholarship
India-Bhutan Friendship Scholarship at IIT Kanpur

According to the MEA brief of June 2026, around 1900 Bhutanese students studying in Indian colleges and institutes received Indian scholarships in 2025-26. Many young Bhutanese also enrol as self-financed students in Indian universities.

In recent years, Bhutan has recruited over 50 teachers from India in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics to teach at schools in Bhutan.

Cultural centre and performances

The Nehru Wangchuck Cultural Centre, under the Embassy of India in Bhutan, was established in 2010. It promotes the understanding and learning of Yoga, Indian classical music and other cultural activities.

Troupes of artists from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) perform in Bhutan from time to time. The most recent performances were held at several locations in Thimphu and in Phuentsholing in January 2026, coinciding with the Republic Day celebrations. In the other direction, a Traditional Music Group from Bhutan visited India for the BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival in New Delhi in July-August 2025.

Buddhist heritage and pilgrimage

The brief states that India and Bhutan share a spiritual and cultural heritage of Buddhism. Bhutanese pilgrims travel to Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Sikkim, Udayagiri, Sarnath and other Buddhist sites in India.

Construction of the Royal Bhutan Temple in Rajgir was completed in 2025, adding to the Royal Bhutanese monastery in Bodhgaya. In November 2025, the Government of India announced a decision to grant land to Bhutan for a Buddhist temple at Varanasi, and the lease agreement for the land was signed in June 2026.

Exposition of the Piprahwa Relics

An exposition of the Holy Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha from India was held in Thimphu from 8-25 November 2025, coinciding with Bhutan's Global Peace Prayer Festival. Alongside it, the International Buddhist Confederation and the Ministry of Culture of India organised three exhibitions:

on Guru Padmasambhava
on the excavation and significance of the Buddha Relics
on Lord Buddha's path to enlightenment

Statues

The Zhabdrung Statue, on display at the Simtokha Dzong near Thimphu, has been loaned by the Asiatic Society, Kolkata to the Royal Government of Bhutan. The brief explains that Zhabdrung is the title of Ngawang Namgyal, a 16th century Buddhist figure revered in Bhutan and regarded as the founder of the modern nation state of Bhutan.

On 19 June 2021, a 3.3 feet high bronze statue of Lord Buddha in a lotus pose, commissioned by ICCR and weighing approximately 200 kgs, was handed over to Bhutan. It was consecrated and enshrined at the Kuenrey (sanctum sanctorum) of the Tashichodzong on 20 June 2021, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava.

India-Bhutan Foundation

The India-Bhutan Foundation (IBF) was established under a Memorandum of Understanding between India and Bhutan signed in New Delhi on 29 August 2003. It supports exchanges between the people of the two countries through activities in the educational, cultural, scientific and technical fields.

The IBF is managed by a Board of Directors of ten members, co-chaired by the Ambassador of India to Bhutan and the Ambassador of Bhutan to India. The 24th meeting of the Board was held in Leh, Ladakh, in May 2026, and approved activities for people-level exchanges in 2026-27.

The Indian community in Bhutan

As of the brief, about 50,000 Indians, including short-term workers, are working in Bhutan. They work in sectors such as infrastructure development, hydropower, education, trade and commerce, teaching and hospitality, and in Project DANTAK under the Border Road Organization.

Questions and answers

How many Bhutanese students receive Indian scholarships?

According to the MEA brief of June 2026, around 1900 Bhutanese students studying in Indian colleges and institutes received Indian scholarships in 2025-26.

How many Indians work in Bhutan?

As of the brief, about 50,000 Indians, including short-term workers, are working in Bhutan in sectors such as infrastructure, hydropower, education, trade, hospitality and Project DANTAK.

What is the India-Bhutan Foundation?

The India-Bhutan Foundation was established under an MoU signed on 29 August 2003 and supports people-to-people exchanges in educational, cultural, scientific and technical fields. Its board is co-chaired by the two countries' Ambassadors.

Sources

This article reports what the sources state at their date and does not add facts from elsewhere. Figures, office holders and agreements may have changed since. Diplo is independent and not affiliated with any government. Suggest a correction.