India Bhutan Relations | Enhancing Cooperation

In a significant development for India Bhutan relations, Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay recently visited India, where the two countries held wide-ranging talks and signed several agreements. This visit, from March 14-18, marked a pivotal moment in the India Bhutan partnership, highlighting both nations’ commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and promoting regional cooperation.

Key Highlights of Bhutan’s Prime Minister’s Visit to India

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi told visiting Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay that India remains committed to partnering with the neighbouring country in its quest to become a high-income nation
• Accompanied by a team of his top ministers, Tobgay was on a trip to India from March 14-18, for his first overseas visit after assuming office in January this year.
• During his visit, PM Tobgay called on President Droupadi Murmu and held discussions with PM Modi on the full spectrum of bilateral cooperation and regional issues of mutual interest.
• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Power Minister RK Singh and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval also called on the Prime Minister of Bhutan.
• In a joint statement, the MEA said that the Prime Ministers of the two countries acknowledged that the exemplary ties of friendship between India and Bhutan are a source of strength for both partners and the region.

Key Takeaways from India And Bhutan Cooperation

• Both countries signed an agreement on the supply of petroleum products to ensure a reliable and sustained supply from India to Bhutan, fostering economic cooperation and growth in the hydrocarbon sector.
• Bhutan’s Food and Drug Authority and India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) signed an agreement to enhance cooperation in food safety measures.
• It will facilitate trade between the two countries by ensuring compliance with food safety standards and reducing compliance costs.
• Both countries signed an MoU on energy efficiency and conservation that demonstrates a commitment to sustainable development.
• India aims to assist Bhutan in enhancing energy efficiency in households, promoting the use of energy-efficient appliances, and developing standards and labelling schemes.

Other Details

• India’s contribution of INR 5000 crores to Bhutan’s 12th FYP significantly boosted Bhutan’s socio-economic well-being. MEA said India’s aid will be geared towards the development of infrastructure, building connectivity in its broadest form.
• India and Bhutan reaffirmed their commitment to expanding hydro-power cooperation and commended progress on ongoing projects. The two sides noted the progress in the construction of the 1020 MW Punatshangchhu-II hydropower project.
• The two sides noted the progress towards the establishment of two rail links Banarhat (West Bengal) – Samtse (Bhutan) and Kokrajhar (Assam) – Gelephu (Bhutan). Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is undertaking the Final Location Survey (FLS) of the two rail links.
• India and Bhutan agreed to expand their energy partnership to include non-hydro renewables and green initiatives. The two sides reaffirmed the significance of cooperating closely in the energy sector.
• The Bhutanese side appreciated India’s support for the development of sports infrastructure in Bhutan. Both sides agreed to strengthen and consolidate ties in the field of youth and sports development. Both sides pledged to enhance collaboration in education, including STEM

India Bhutan Relations

• Bhutan considers India as gyagar, meaning the holy land, as Buddhism originated in India, which is the religion followed by the majority of Bhutanese.
• The relationship between the two countries further strengthened with the establishment of diplomatic relations between them in 1968.
• The basis of this relationship is formed on the solid foundation of the Indo-Bhutan Friendship Treaty of 1949
• Bhutan not only shares a 699 kilometres long boundary with India adjoining four Indian states but is also a key player in two of India’s cardinal foreign policy elements – Neighbourhood Policy and Act East Policy.
• The two countries have a close strategic partnership, with India providing assistance to Bhutan in various sectors, including economic development, infrastructure, education, health and security.
• India is not only Bhutan’s biggest development partner but also the most important trading partner both as a source and market for its trade in goods and services.
• India provides not only the transit route to a landlocked Bhutan but is also the biggest market for a number of Bhutan’s exports including hydroelectricity, semi-finished products, ferrosilicon and dolomite.
• Bolstering strategic relations, India deployed its Military Training Team (IMTRAT) in Bhutan to train the Bhutanese security forces in 1961 and since then has been responsible for Bhutanese security.
• Several key initiatives have already been launched in the fields of digital and space, such as RuPay, the integration of Bhutan’s DrukREN

The Importance of India Bhutan Relations

• Bhutan shares its borders with India and China, and its strategic location makes it an important buffer state for India’s security interests.
• India has helped Bhutan build and maintain its border infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, to strengthen its defence capabilities and ensure its territorial integrity.
• In 2017, during the Doklam standoff between India and China, Bhutan played a crucial role in allowing Indian troops to enter its territory to resist Chinese incursions.
• India has assisted Bhutan in preserving its cultural heritage, and many Bhutanese students come to India for higher education.
• Bhutan is one of the few countries in the world that has pledged to remain carbon-neutral, and India has been a key partner in helping Bhutan achieve this goal.
• China’s increasing presence in Bhutan, particularly along the disputed border between Bhutan and China, has raised concerns in India. India has been Bhutan’s closest ally and has played a key role in protecting Bhutan’s sovereignty and security

Conclusion

The recent visit by Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay to India is a testament to the strong, enduring ties between the two nations. Through agreements in key sectors such as energy, trade, and security, the India Bhutan relations continue to grow and evolve. Both countries are poised to benefit from enhanced collaboration, which will play a significant role in the development and security of the region.

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