India-Bhutan relations are often described as “unique, time-tested and exemplary,” and these multi-faceted relations will be telescoped in the forthcoming visit of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Himalayan state June 15-16.
In this wide-ranging interview with Manish Chand, Editor-in-Chief, India Writes Network (www.indiawrites.org), Sudhir Vyas, a veteran diplomat who served as secretary (west) in India’s external affairs ministry and a former ambassador of New Delhi to Bhutan, speaks about the reasons why the prime minister chose Bhutan for his first foreign visit and the message behind this trip. Mr Vyas also amplifies on the vast canvas of India’s development partnership with Bhutan and projects a vibrant future for this critical relationship. “This is a relationship which cannot be replicated by any other. It is very deep, be it in terms of economic cooperation, religion or the democratic ethos or the relationship between the leadership, networking between the people of the two countries,” says the former envoy.
(Excerpts from the interview with www.indiawrites.org)
Q. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has chosen Bhutan for his first overseas visit, which clearly illustrates the importance of India-Bhutan relations. What makes India-Bhutan relation so special?
A. We have many strategic partners, and if there was any relationship which has substantive content, it’s this. Prime Minister Modi at his swearing-in had invited all the leaders of the SAARC countries and Mauritius, clearly indicating the priority that he attaches to the neighbourhood in his foreign policy projections. This visit to Bhutan takes this idea forward. He is signalling that this relationship is something that we value. The trust, the confidence, the mutually beneficial co-operation, the intensity and depth of this interaction between the leaderships of Bhutan and India — they are all an anchor in a changing global and regional environment. And it is something that will stand us in good stead now and in the years to come. In that sense, it is a political statement and it is not dependent on any outcomes. It is a statement in itself.
Q. Looking ahead at the PM’s trip, how do you think it will galvanize this unique relationship?
A. This is a relationship that is characterised by very frequent interactions at all levels, including the highest. The prime Minister of Bhutan was here. The king of Bhutan was here as well in January this year. Therefore, this interaction has been continuing. There is an enormous agenda that the two countries have in hand. One of these is economic cooperation, particularly in the hydro-power sector. There have been some recent moves in this sector. By working together, we are looking at something like 10,000 MW of installed capacity of hydro-electric generation in Bhutan. Four of these projects which are now going to be handled in a joint venture mode between India and Bhutan are now ready to be taken forward. This is something that will be recognised as an outcome; although this is not a visit that is dependent on outcomes. It is a statement.
Q. We have a multi-faceted development partnership with Bhutan. Could you amplify the areas in which we have been making a difference in Bhutan?
A. Pandit Nehru’s visit in 1958 was an extraordinary visit because it came at a time when Bhutan had no communication links except through its agency at Kalimpong across the Chumbi valley. And this, too, was threatened at the time as the Chinese walked into Tibet. The discussions between the king of Bhutan and Pandit Nehru at Paro initiated the process of development of infrastructure, communication links and of educating the youth of Bhutan. This was later formalised through the five-year planning process that was initiated in 1961. By 1968, the first road linkages with India were through. India provided support for their construction, avenues for capacity building and education (which were priorities). And it must be emphasized that in our relationship with Bhutan, it is Bhutan that sets the priorities. It decides the pace and direction of its development effort and India will respond. India has assisted Bhutan in building roads, hospitals, airports etc. There are program grants. India is assisting in small development projects and several other small projects that are required by local communities.
So, the co-operation between India and China is broad and diversified. And hydro-power project is the jewel in the crown. The process began in 1980s with 336 MW Chukha hydro-electric project which became a tremendous success and changed the energy and economic scenario of Bhutan. It was followed by two other important projects — a smaller 60 MW Kurichhu project in eastern Bhutan and a 1500 MW Tala project on the same river as Chukha. The power generated was not required by Bhutan and was, therefore, exported to India which has added considerably to Bhutan’s revenue generation. And today, Bhutan’s per capita GDP is higher than India’s. Another hydro-electric project producing 10,000 MW of electricity is going to change the face of Bhutan if it is used properly. And I’m sure it will be. This should help Bhutan to produce quality infrastructure and quality facilities of healthcare and education.
Democracy Connect
Q. Bhutan started its democratic journey a few years ago and it is at the cusp of change. How are we adapting our diplomatic engagement with the changing realities of Bhutan?
A. This adaptation has been a continuous process. I was the ambassador of India to Bhutan at the time of change. During this time several developments took place — the first elections were held and the first elected government took charge, the constitution came into force, the fourth King of Bhutan abdicated in favor of his son and Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck took over as the King of Bhutan. And the change did not come out of the blue. The fourth king had prepared for it right from 1998 when he had appointed an executive council of ministers responsible to Tshogdu, the national assembly. Five years later, the ministers were elected from a short list of candidates by the assembly. Another five years later in 2008, free, fair and open elections were held under the provisions of the constitution. Therefore, this change is something that has been in the making for a decade.
Moreover, this transition has not taken place under pressure. Earlier, the Bhutanese did not feel the need for such a change to take place. It was a gift to the people. Today, the people of Bhutan and the political parties of Bhutan are looking at making the best use of the opportunities offered by democracy for the advancement of the populace.
Q. India is the world’s most populous democracy and Bhutan is probably the youngest. India has partnered Bhutan in democracy-building. What is India’s contribution to the democratic process in Bhutan?
A. The constitution drafting process was initiated by the fourth king of Bhutan through a 15-member constitution drafting committee, headed by the Chief Justice of Bhutan. There were very close and deep consultations with India. They looked at various models across the world but they focused on India as a model that is replicable and that can suit the Bhutanese ethos. Many of our experts went up to Thimpu to make suggestions for the same but ultimately, the decision was taken by the Bhutanese themselves. In this process, the Chief Justice of Bhutan visited all the dzongkhags (districts) of Bhutan, held public meetings, explained the provisions to the Bhutanese people and received feedback. It was an inclusive process, and that is what gave it strength in terms of democratic process.
India versus China in Bhutan?
Q. There have been ripples of anxiety among sections of the strategic community about China’s outreach to Bhutan. The Chinese leadership is courting Bhutan and maybe there’s a larger game there. Do we have anything to fear from this Chinese outreach?
A. Bhutan is a sovereign country. It will take its own decisions. Discussions are still going on between Bhutan and China over the Bhutan-China boundary and it has not been settled yet. So, it is not something new. Over all these years, Bhutan has taken a considerate decision to not to have diplomatic relations with any of the P5 member. It does not want to get caught at this point of time in these kinds of engagements which could create pressures of various sorts. It has an ongoing engagement in terms of education, trade, economic matters and other matters with the P5 countries. It is a country that is mature enough. It has the capacity to take its own considered decisions and it will decide when and how to proceed further down this road.
The Way Ahead
Q. How do you look at the future of India-Bhutan relations?
A
. At the highest levels, in both India and Bhutan, there is a clear appreciation and understanding of the value of this relationship. This is a relationship which cannot be replicated by any other. It is very deep, be it in terms of economic cooperation, religion or the democratic ethos or the relationship between the leadership, networking between the people of the two countries. The range and depth of this tapestry cannot be matched by any other. And I have no doubt that it will continue to grow and produce the best possible outcomes which will work to the benefit of both our countries.
Author Profile
- India Writes Network (www.indiawrites.org) is an emerging think tank and a media-publishing company focused on international affairs & the India Story. Centre for Global India Insights is the research arm of India Writes Network. To subscribe to India and the World, write to editor@indiawrites.org. A venture of TGII Media Private Limited, a leading media, publishing and consultancy company, IWN has carved a niche for balanced and exhaustive reporting and analysis of international affairs. Eminent personalities, politicians, diplomats, authors, strategy gurus and news-makers have contributed to India Writes Network, as also “India and the World,” a magazine focused on global affairs.
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