{"id":23402,"date":"2018-07-24T16:54:01","date_gmt":"2018-07-24T11:24:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.forumias.com\/?p=23402"},"modified":"2018-07-25T19:01:30","modified_gmt":"2018-07-25T13:31:30","slug":"india-bhutan-relations-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/india-bhutan-relations-2\/","title":{"rendered":"India-Bhutan relations"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><u>Context:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Recently Bhutan\u2019s Prime Minister Tobgay had briefed India about its current state of relations with China.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><u>Timeline of events:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Treaty of Punaksha (1910): <\/strong>Bhutan become protectorate state of \u2018British India\u2019. It means Bhutan to have Internal autonomy and not external autonomy<\/li>\n<li><strong>Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation(1949)<u> :<\/u><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li>India and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Peace and Friendship on August 8, 1949, in Darjeeling.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>The treaty is termed as the continuation of the Anglo-Bhutanese Treaty of 1910. It treats the Himalayas as the sentinel of India\u2019s security<\/li>\n<li>The Indo-Bhutan Treaty is dubbed as the corner stone of Bhutan\u2019s foreign policy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-23404 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.forumias.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/non.jpg?resize=563%2C256\" alt=\"\" width=\"563\" height=\"256\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/non.jpg?w=563&amp;ssl=1 563w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/non.jpg?resize=150%2C68&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/non.jpg?resize=300%2C136&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 563px) 100vw, 563px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Revised treaty (2007):<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>On request of Bhutan, India revise treaty of friendship and cooperation<\/li>\n<li>It has been suggested that revised one modifies India\u2019s role from guiding partner to a close friend and equal partner.<\/li>\n<li>Under the revised norms Bhutan no longer require India\u2019s approval over importing arms.<\/li>\n<li>There are no limitation of Bhutan with respect to other countries, but not use it territory for activities against India\u2019s security threat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li><strong>India-Bhutan trade and transit Agreement(1972):<\/strong>It provides for duty-free transit of Bhutanese exports to third countries.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Treaty of Cooperation in Hydropower and Protocol(2006)<\/strong>:Under this, India has agreed to assist Royal government of Bhutan in developing a minimum of 10,000 MW of hydropower and import the Surplus electricity from this to India by the year 2020.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong><u>Areas of cooperation:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Hydropower Cooperation:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>India has constructed three hydroelectric projects(HEPs) in Bhutan totaling 1416 MW(336 MW Chukha HEP, 60 MW Kurichhu HEP and 1020 MW Tala HEP).<\/li>\n<li>Hydropower exports provide more than 40% of Bhutan\u2019s domestic revenues and constitute 25% of its GDP.<\/li>\n<li>Presently, there are three Inter-Government(IG) model HEPs-1200 MW PanatSangchhu-I, 1020 MWPanatSangchhu-II, and 720 MW Mangdechhu under construction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Security Cooperation:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Both the countries have conducted joint military operation against insurgents. The most notable was in 2004, the Royal Bhutanese army conducted operations against ULFA (United Liberation Front of Assam)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Diplomatic Cooperation:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Regular visits between highest level Government functionaries of both the countries have become a tradition. \u00a0For example, in 2014, our Prime Minister chose Bhutan as his first country to visit after getting elected.<\/li>\n<li>India sends foreign service officers to Bhutan to maintain good diplomatic relations<\/li>\n<li>Bhutan is a founding member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). It is also a member of BIMSTEC, World Bank, the IMF, Group of 77 and others.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Economic Cooperation:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Bhutanese currency is Ngultrum (Nu.) and is officially pegged to the Indian Rupee (Rs.).<\/li>\n<li>India remains the single largest trading partner of Bhutan<\/li>\n<li>In 2016 a new trade agreement was signed. This agreement aims at cutting down the documentation related to trade and establishing additional trading points in Bhutan<\/li>\n<li>India has also offers duty free transit to Bhutan for duty trade with third countries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Educational and Cultural cooperation:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Around 4000 Bhutanese are studying in under-graduate courses in Indian universities on self-financing basis.<\/li>\n<li>India Bhutan foundation was established in 2003 for improving people to people cooperation in the areas of culture, education and environment protection<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Environment Cooperation:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>India is considering involving Bhutan in National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayas.<\/li>\n<li>The project aims at protecting the Himalayan ecosystem that has been endangered by numerous ecological problems.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><u>Areas of Contentions<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Motor Vehicles Agreement that was signed in 2015 involving Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) was blocked by Bhutan\u2019s upper house citing environmental concerns.<\/li>\n<li>India has been occasionally complained by Bhutan for meddling in its internal affairs<\/li>\n<li>Growing and unsustainable trade imbalance in favor of India. Bhutan\u2019s trade deficit is set to worsen as India\u2019s Good and Services Tax (GST) taxes makes its exports to Bhutan cheaper and imports from Bhutan more expensive<\/li>\n<li>Bhutan wants to increase its export power tariff to India that is complained for being lesser than its cost of production<\/li>\n<li>Bhutan has been taken as safe haven by insurgent elements like National Democratic Front for Bodoland (NDFB), United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) militants and Kamtapur Liberation Organization (KLO) that often pose threat to internal peace and security in the northeast region of India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><u>China\u2019s Role:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>There has been distancing in Indo-Bhutan relations because of China<\/li>\n<li>Revised friendship and cooperation treaty has the potential for China to have inroads in Bhutan\u2019s internal affairs and foreign policy.<\/li>\n<li>Bhutan has problems like high rates of unemployment and national debt. This can be a source for an economically strong China to exert its influence.<\/li>\n<li>There have been reports that China claims Doklam Plateau and other parts of Chumbi valley (they legally belong to Bhutan) as its own territory. The Chumbi valley is close to Indian state of Sikkim and\u00a0Siliguri corridor<strong>.<\/strong> This poses security concerns for India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-23405 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.forumias.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/nepal.jpg?resize=589%2C251\" alt=\"\" width=\"589\" height=\"251\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/nepal.jpg?w=589&amp;ssl=1 589w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/nepal.jpg?resize=150%2C64&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/nepal.jpg?resize=300%2C128&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 589px) 100vw, 589px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Issue with Hydropower projects<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Bhutan supply Power to India at very cheap rate<\/li>\n<li>Bhutan alleged that India wanted greater role in management on Joint venture Hydro projects in Bhutan. Most of the time this compromise the interest of Bhutan<\/li>\n<li>Cross Border Trade of Electricity (CBTE) issued by power ministry will establish the monopoly of India being Bhutan\u2019s sole power market. It restrict the type of hydro power investments that could be made in Bhutan<\/li>\n<li>Hydro power Plant also attached with certain environmental concerns<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Steps taken to boost relations<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>There is a frequent visit of state heads to boost the relation<\/li>\n<li>PM Modi paid his first visit to Bhutan after assumption of office<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-23406 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.forumias.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/india-1.jpg?resize=549%2C525\" alt=\"\" width=\"549\" height=\"525\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/india-1.jpg?w=549&amp;ssl=1 549w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/india-1.jpg?resize=150%2C143&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/india-1.jpg?resize=300%2C287&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 549px) 100vw, 549px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>India announced assistance for establishment of an E-Project covering all the 20 districts of Bhutan.<\/li>\n<li>The Prime Minister coined the idea of B2B as \u2018Bharat to Bhutan\u2019 for building effective and renewed bilateral relationship.<\/li>\n<li>Bhutan recently become the largest beneficiary of India&#8217;s foreign aid<\/li>\n<li>A 1,000 strong Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) is permanently based in western Bhutan to train the Royal Bhutan Army, while other units regularly cooperate with the Royal Bhutan Army<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><u>Way ahead: <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>As quoted by PM Modi, India Bhutan relationship is like \u2018<strong>milk and water<\/strong>\u2018. They cannot be separated. Therefore India should leave no stone unturned to maintain good relations with Bhutan.<\/li>\n<li>India needs to complete some of the hydropower projects that were delayed due to lack of sufficient funds.<\/li>\n<li>India has a very good relationship with Bhutan whereas China has many border disputes with Bhutan. This relationship and goodwill must be maintained to counter China\u2019s strategic calculations in Bhutan.<\/li>\n<li>India needs to augment the connectivity of Bhutan and its North Eastern states for the region\u2019s economic development.<\/li>\n<li>India needs to combine the Gross National Happiness of Bhutan with its own economic development to maintain a shared prosperity and relationship between the two countries.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Context: Recently Bhutan\u2019s Prime Minister Tobgay had briefed India about its current state of relations with China. Timeline of events: Treaty of Punaksha (1910): Bhutan become protectorate state of \u2018British India\u2019. It means Bhutan to have Internal autonomy and not external autonomy Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation(1949) : India and Bhutan signed the Treaty of&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/india-bhutan-relations-2\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">India-Bhutan relations<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":23403,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23402","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured-editorials","entry"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/india-bhootaqqn.jpg?fit=1068%2C529&ssl=1","views":{"total":14,"cached_at":"","cached_date":1698474736},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23402","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23402"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23402\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23403"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23402"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23402"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23402"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}