New Delhi, Dec 18: Pakistan has praised the restoration of Bhutan’s historic Lingzhi Dzong on the occasion of the kingdom’s National Day, without acknowledging that the renovation was fully financed by India.
The seven-year-long restoration project, which began in 2018, was completed under India’s financial assistance to Bhutan as part of the 12th Five-Year Plan, with a sanctioned budget of Nu 400 million, according to official Bhutanese sources.
Lingzhi Dzong, constructed in the late 17th century, commemorates Bhutan’s victory over Tibetan invasions and stands as a long-standing symbol of the country’s cultural and strategic resilience. The renovation aimed to preserve the structure for future generations amid challenging geographical conditions.
In a post on X, Pakistan’s Foreign Office extended greetings to Bhutan, stating:
“On the occasion of National Day of the Kingdom of #Bhutan, we extend our heartiest felicitations to its people and Government.”
The restoration work was carried out with the assistance of open-air prisoners (OAPs), who operated at an altitude of 4,150 metres, facing harsh weather and difficult terrain throughout the project period.
Observers noted that Pakistan’s public praise did not mention India’s role in funding the project, an omission that has drawn attention given New Delhi’s longstanding development partnership with Thimphu. India has been a key contributor to Bhutan’s cultural preservation and infrastructure development through successive bilateral assistance programmes.
The episode highlights India’s often understated role in Bhutan’s development initiatives, while also marking a diplomatic oversight by Pakistan in its public messaging.
Pakistan has praised the restoration of Bhutan’s historic Lingzhi Dzong on the occasion of the kingdom’s National Day, without acknowledging that the renovation was fully financed by India.
The seven-year-long restoration project, which began in 2018, was completed under India’s financial assistance to Bhutan as part of the 12th Five-Year Plan, with a sanctioned budget of Nu 400 million, according to official Bhutanese sources.
Lingzhi Dzong, constructed in the late 17th century, commemorates Bhutan’s victory over Tibetan invasions and stands as a long-standing symbol of the country’s cultural and strategic resilience. The renovation aimed to preserve the structure for future generations amid challenging geographical conditions.
In a post on X, Pakistan’s Foreign Office extended greetings to Bhutan, stating:
“On the occasion of National Day of the Kingdom of #Bhutan, we extend our heartiest felicitations to its people and Government.”
The restoration work was carried out with the assistance of open-air prisoners (OAPs), who operated at an altitude of 4,150 metres, facing harsh weather and difficult terrain throughout the project period.
Observers noted that Pakistan’s public praise did not mention India’s role in funding the project, an omission that has drawn attention given New Delhi’s longstanding development partnership with Thimphu. India has been a key contributor to Bhutan’s cultural preservation and infrastructure development through successive bilateral assistance programmes.
The episode highlights India’s often understated role in Bhutan’s development initiatives, while also marking a diplomatic oversight by Pakistan in its public messaging.
