India’s “special relations” with Bhutan, often cited as “a model of good-nighbourliness,” has got a fresh vote of confidence, with New Delhi assuring Thimphu that issues arising out of the withdrawal of subsidy on its supply of LPG and kerosene will be resolved soon.
In the second democratic elections in the country’s history, the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won the mandate to rule the Himalayan state, which prefers to measure its GDP in terms of gross national happiness.
India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was quick to write to PDP chief Tshering Tobgay that he has already instructed his officials to prepare for discussions over India’s plan assistance to Bhutan. In his letter, Manmohan Singh assured him of “unflinching and steadfast” support from India. He underlined that India is and will always be mindful of Bhutan’s interests and that India is “a privileged partner of Bhutan and its people in their socio-economic progress and development.”
Ahead of the elections, the badly-timed withdrawal of subsidy to kerosene and LPG given by India to Bhutan had for the first time sparked speculation about “unique and hassle-free” relations going adrift. Many influential sections in Bhutan resorted to conspiracy theories to explain New Delhi’s decision – relations with India in this backdrop were sought to be projected as an election issue – but in the end good sense seems to have prevailed. Barring minor dissonance, there is almost a universal across-the-spectrum consensus in Bhutan about keeping the relations with India at the centre of its foreign policy.
Jigme Thinley, the outgoing prime min
ister and Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) chief, had enjoyed close relations with New Delhi, visiting the country as much as nine times in the last five years, but his diplomatic overdrive wasn’t exactly to New Delhi’s liking. Thinley’s meeting with China’s then Premier Wen Jiabao on the margins of the Rio+20 conference last year fuelled rumours about Thimphu yielding to Beijing’s blandishments. But Indian diplomats were not unduly worried as they were convinced of the solidity of the India-Bhutan relationship.
India hopes that the new Bhutanese democratic leadership will display greater prudence and statesmanship as it shepherds Bhutan’s ongoing transition to a modern democratic state, without ruffling New Delhi’s sensitivities.
Unique and Special Ties
Both sides have enormous stakes in making this relationship work, which is based on trust, win-win outcomes, specially in hydropower sector, and reciprocity. If India has been generous with funds and developmental assistance, Bhutan has consistently backed India’s claim for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council and backed its position in international fora. Among other important issues, Thimphu has backed New Delhi’s position on a nuclear-weapon-free zone in South Asia, the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and the 1998 nuclear tests at Pokhran.
India remains Bhutan’s largest trading and development partner. Over the years, a large chunk of India’s developmental assistance in form of loans, grants and lines of credit has been committed to Bhutan.
In Bhutan’s king, India has a robust supporter. Speaking at a state banquet in his honour on the eve of the Republic Day, Bhutan’s young monarch Jigme Khesar Wangchuk said memorably: “In this moment of great happiness — I offer to you my deepest, most profound affection and goodwill. My bond with India is for life, for it arises from two loves — my love for India and, my love for Bhutan and my people,” he said. Recalling his grandfather, who was invited as the Republic Day chief guest in 1954, he said: “The destiny of Bhutan is intimately bound with that of India and it is in our mutual interests to further the bonds of friendship and understanding,” he said, while quoting his grandfather.
Above all, he robustly reaffirmed that India remained the cornerstone of Bhutan’s foreign policy. New Delhi should not worry overmuch about a sovereign country’s outreach to other countries as long as its interests and sensitivities are not trifled with.
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