INDIA-BHUTAN RELATIONS

INDIA-BHUTAN RELATIONS

 

The Story of Bhutan

1. 1864- Anglo Bhutanese War. (The Britishers were desperate to establish a trade route to China via Bhutan.)
2. 1865- Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (Treaty of Sinchula) was signed between British India and Bhutan. (It was an Open Border agreement which allowed free passage of goods and people through each other's territories) 
3. 1890- Anglo Chinese Treaty signed. (Border demarcation was done between Sikkim, Bhutan & Tibet (China). 
4. 1907- Monarchy formed in Bhutan. The Wangchuck dynasty was in stated by Ugyen Wangchuck. (In 1616 Ngawang Namgyal, great Lama (Zhabdrung Rinpoche) from Western Tibet ruled Bhutan, but after his death, infighting and Civil wars happened between various Buddhist schools. In 1885 Ugyen Wangchuk started consolidating power and by 1907 Wangchuck dynasty was established) 
5. 1910- Treaty of Punakha was signed and Bhutan became a Protectorate state under Britishers. Britishers had to 'guide' Foreign Policy and Defence Policy of Bhutan. 
    

Post-independence

1. 1947- India became independent and Bhutan was among the first countries to recognise India as a sovereign country. 
2. 1949- Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed between India and Bhutan. According to Article 2 of the Treaty, India had to 'guide' Bhutan's foreign and Defence policy. India accepted the sovereign & independent status of Bhutan but advised that Bhutan, in matters of external & military affairs seek assistance from India.  
3. 1961: Project Dantak started in Bhutan. Aim was to build pioneer motorable roads. This did not go well with China. 
4. 1971- Bhutan joined IPU, ITU & UNESCO. (In retaliation during the Indo Pak war of 1971). At international level, India responded positively and recognised Bhutan and proposed for a full-time membership of Bhutan to UNO. The relations between these two countries strained. (It is said that the relations were maintained by Tennis diplomacy. Jigme Singye and Rajiv Gandhi played tennis in New Delhi for which Jigme, on a daily basis, flew to New Delhi and back to Thimphu.)
5. 1972:  Gross Happiness Index: It was coined in 1972 by Bhutan's 4th king- Jigme Singye Wangchuck. It has 4 components:

• Sustainable Development. 
• Preservation and Promotion of Cultural Values. 
• Establishment of Good Governance. 
• Conservation of Natural Environment. 

6. 2003- Indian Army + Royal Bhutanese Army launched Operation All Clear to remove all anti Indian elements(ULFA, NDFB, etc) along the border. 
7. 2007- Treaty of Actual Friendship: India & Bhutan would cooperate with each other on matters of national security. It allowed Bhutan to have its independent Foreign & Defence Policy, except with China. Bhutan was allowed to import arms without seeking India’s permission. 
8. 2010- 16th SAARC summit held in Bhutan. It was the first SAARC summit being conducted in Bhutan since its inception in 1985. A resolution of Green and Happy Asia was adopted in this summit. 
    
9. 2017- Doklam Issue: Doklam plateau is located in the North Western part of Bhutan, very close to India's Chickens neck.

 

Significance of Bhutan: 

 

Geo-political significance:

1. Bhutan shares border with four Indian States: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Sikkim.
2. Nestled in the Himalayas, Bhutan serves as a buffer between India and China.
3. Security of Bhutan’s present borders especially its western border is very important for India.
4. A politically stable Bhutan is important to India. An unstable and restive Bhutan can provide a safe haven to anti-India activities and anti-India militant groups. 
5. Bhutan is important for intra-continental connectivity. BBIN project is crucial for the overall connectivity of the South Asian region. 

Economic Significance: 

1. Bhutan is a major source of Hydro Electric Power for India. India is playing an important role in development of hydro-power projects. This not only provides Bhutanese with electricity for domestic use but also revenue from surplus electricity exported to India. India has so far constructed four Hydroelectric Projects in Bhutan including the 60 MW Kurichhu HEP; 1020 MW Tala HEP; the 336 MW Chukha HEP; and the 720 MW Mangdechhu HEP.
2. Bhutan provides a market for Indian commodities and is a destination for Indian investment.
3. The trade between the two countries is governed by the India Bhutan Trade and Transit Agreement 1972 which was last renewed in November 2016. The agreement establishes a free-trade regime between the two countries and also provides for duty-free transit of Bhutanese exports to third countries.
4. India is Bhutan's largest trading partner. In the period from January- June, 2020, trade between two countries stood at Rs. 95 billion (1.25 bn USD) 
5. India is constructing roads in Bhutan through its Project Dantak started in 1961 and still going on. It is overlooked by BRO. 

Cultural and Educational significance: 

1. India and Bhutan share a historical relationship with respect to religion. Buddhism is the connecting link. 
2. A large number of college going Bhutanese students study in India. The Government of India provides a number of scholarships to Bhutanese students.
3. Regular cultural exchanges take place between the two countries. One of the basic objectives of India Bhutan Foundation established in 2003 is to enhance people to people exchange in the cultural field.

THE DOKLAM ISSUE

1. The Chinese army (PLA) invaded and made settlements in parts of the Doklam plateau. (The Chinese claimed that they do not recognise the 1890 Anglo Chinese Treaty.) China now pursues the Five Finger Policy of Mao Zedong according to which it wanted to control five areas namely: Arunachal Pradesh, Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal & Ladakh. 
2. Various border talks between China and Bhutan have taken place earlier also in 1984, 1996 and 2004 but no resolution had been passed. 
3. In 2017, when the Chinese invasions started in Doklam plateau, Indian Army retaliated and the contest was now PLA V/S IA. The PLA retracted itself. 
4. In 2020 some villages have been established near Doklam plateau and Arunachal Pradesh. 
5. In December 2022, the Chinese were seen constructing a ropeway in the Doklam plateau region. 

Challenges in the relations: 

1. There have been instances when India has meddled in Bhutan’s internal affairs. This has led to negative perception about India in the minds of Bhutanese.
2. There is a growing feeling in Bhutan that India’s development of Bhutan’s hydropower production is driven by self-interest as it is getting Bhutan’s surplus power at relatively cheap rates.
3. Establishment of camps by militant outfits in the dense jungles of south-east Bhutan is a cause of concern for both the nations.
4. China’s continuous claims to important border areas such as Chumbi valley and Doklam and its continuous efforts for establishing strong diplomatic and economic relations with Bhutan have been a continuous source of concern for India.

Way forward

1. India needs to step up efforts to publicise the benefits that accrue to Bhutan from Indian projects.
2. India continuously needs to explore new areas of cooperation with Bhutan. Decision of setting up of ISRO’s ground station in Bhutan is a welcome step. The station will help Bhutan in providing weather related messages to its far flung areas.
3. India should try as much as possible to remain out of Bhutan’s internal matters, though it can act as a mentor.
4. Safety of Border from China is a concern for both nations. Therefore, both sides need to work together on this issue. Also, it needs to be ensured that border areas remain militants free.
5. Being neighbours, it is necessary that both nations continuously recognise value of each other. For this, regular high level visits from both the sides are necessary.

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