Japan's Princess Akiko Visits Bhutan To Mark 40 Years of Ties, Meets King
Japan's Princess Akiko visited Bhutan to celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations, including a tour of the Gelephu Mindfulness City project. The project is a major economic initiative by the Bhutanese King, supported by Indian infrastructure connectivity projects like the Kokrajhar-Gelephu railway.
Why it matters
The development of Gelephu represents a significant geopolitical and economic shift in the region, involving cooperation between Bhutan, Japan, and India.
Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko of Mikasa visited Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) in Bhutan and was received in audience by Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.Princess Akiko is visiting Bhutan to commemorate 40 years of diplomatic relations between Bhutan and Japan, at the invitation of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema.During her visit to Gelephu Mindfulness City, Princess Akiko accompanied the King on a tour of ChoeGo GMC and Gelephu town. She also visited Ugyen Norlha Chorten to offer prayers.Princess Akiko is the granddaughter of the late Emperor Showa of Japan.What Is Gelephu Mindfulness City?Gelephu Mindfulness City is an ambitious development project envisioned by the King of Bhutan, aimed at creating an economic and administrative hub that combines Bhutanese traditions of spirituality and harmony with nature with technology, innovation and modern infrastructure.The project is also intended to support Bhutan's administrative reforms and economic development.Located in Bhutan's southern…
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