The Prayas ePathshala

Exams आसान है !

India and Bhutan have had close ties ever since Bhutan was made a protectorate of British India in 1910, allowing the British to “guide” its diplomatic and defense policies.
One of the first nations to recognize India’s independence in 1947 was Bhutan. Since then, relations between the countries have improved, especially in light of Bhutan’s own tumultuous history with China.
Bhutan and India have a 699-kilometer border as well as close cultural and religious ties. Guru Padmasambhava, a Buddhist saint, had a great influence on the spread of Buddhism and the building of cultural ties between the peoples of the two nations.
In 1968, following India’s lead, Bhutan established a Special Representative office in Thimphu. The two special representative offices received an upgrade in 1978 and were given diplomatic status.
The foundation for bilateral ties between Bhutan and India was set by the 1949 Indo-Bhutan Treaty of Peace and Friendship. However, it’s important to note that Article 2 of the agreement grants India power over Bhutan’s foreign policy. As a result, the agreement underwent several changes in 2007.
The new agreement allows Bhutan to purchase weapons as long as Indian interests are safeguarded and no weapons are exported again by either the government or private individuals.
Articles 6 and 7 of the current treaty discuss “national treatment” and equal rights for citizens of both countries.

Bhutan’s significance to India:

Geographical significance:

The four Indian States that border Bhutan is Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, and Sikkim.
Between China and India, the Himalayan nation of Bhutan serves as a stopgap.
The safety of Bhutan’s current borders, particularly its western border, is essential for India.

Financial importance:

Bhutan is a country where Indian capital is invested and where Indian commodities are sold.
India also has access to abundant hydropower from Bhutan.

Political Significance:

Bhutan’s political stability is valued by India. Extremist organizations and anti-Indian activities can find refuge in Bhutan’s turbulence and instability.

Cooperation Areas:

Trade:

Trade between the two countries is governed by the 1972 India-Bhutan Trade and Transit Agreement, which was most recently renewed in November 2016.
The agreement allows for the duty-free transit of goods from Bhutan to other countries and establishes a free-trade zone between the two countries.
India is Bhutan’s principal trading partner. From January to June of 2018, the two countries’ combined commerce was worth Rs. 4318.59 crore.
In contrast to Bhutan’s primary imports of power, ferrosilicon, Portland cement, and other things, India’s main exports to Bhutan are mineral products, machinery and mechanical appliances, electrical equipment, and other goods.

Economic Assistance:

India is Bhutan’s principal development partner. Since the First Five Year Plan of Bhutan was adopted in 1961, India has been financially supporting its FYPs. India has provided Rs. 4500 crore towards Bhutan’s 12th FYP.

Resources in Aquifers:

India is an important participant in the development of hydropower projects. This not only provides electricity for domestic use, but also makes money by selling extra electricity to India.
The Indian government has so far constructed three hydroelectric projects (HEPs) in Bhutan. India is now helping Bhutan build a power plant on the Mangdechhu River.
The 2006 Agreement on Hydropower Cooperation governs this hydroelectric collaboration. According to a protocol to this agreement, India has promised to assist Bhutan produce a minimum of 10,000 MW of hydropower and import any extra electricity from this development by the year 2020.
In order to deal with floods, India and Bhutan also established a Joint Group of Experts (JGE).

Border Security:

There is a mechanism at the Secretary level for border management and security-related concerns between the two countries.
There is also a Border District Coordination Meeting (BDCM) Mechanism between the bordering States and the Royal Government of Bhutan to facilitate coordination on border management and other pertinent topics (RGoB).

Collaboration in culture and education:

Many Bhutanese teenagers who plan to attend college continue their education in India. Numerous scholarships are available from the Indian government to students from Bhutan.
The two countries frequently exchange cultural ideas. The India Bhutan Foundation was established in 2003 with the primary objective of fostering intercultural communication.

Aboriginal People:

Approximately 60,000 Indian nationals reside in Bhutan, the majority of them are employed in the construction of roads and hydroelectric power stations.
Additionally, 8000–10,000 daily labourers from Bhutan enter and exit at border towns.

Cross-border cooperation:

India and Bhutan together created the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), an organisation that deals with the economic, social, and cultural development of the South Asian region.
Additionally, the two of them take part in various multilateral forums like BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal), BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation), etc.

Challenges:

India has occasionally meddled in domestic matters in Bhutan. Because of this, the people of Bhutan today have a negative opinion of India.
Because India profits from Bhutan’s surplus power at comparatively low costs, Bhutan has a growing notion that India is developing Bhutan’s hydroelectric capability for personal advantage.
Because of India’s migration to renewable energy sources including wind, solar, and other sources, Bhutan is concerned about the financial feasibility of its hydroelectric projects.
The unauthorised establishment of terrorist camps in the dense jungles of south-east Bhutan has raised concerns for both nations.
China’s ongoing claims to important border territories like the Chumbi Valley and Doklam, as well as its constant attempts to establish close political and economic connections with Bhutan, have long caused India to be concerned.

How to Proceed Ahead:

India needs to do more to highlight the benefits that its initiatives offer Bhutan.
India must constantly explore for new chances to work with Bhutan. The decision by ISRO to locate its ground station in Bhutan is a wise one. The station will help Bhutan by providing weather information to its outlying areas.
Even while it can act as a mentor, India should make every effort to keep out of Bhutan’s domestic issues.
Concerns regarding the security of national borders with China are shared by both nations. As a result, for this matter to be resolved, both parties must work together. Additionally, militant activities must be prevented in border zones.
Both nations must always cherish one another because they are neighbours. This calls for frequent high-level visits from both parties.