- History Of This Relations
Bhutan has always been desirable buffer state from the perspective of anyone ruling India. The modern history of relations began in 1910 with treaty of Punakha. Bye this treaty Bhutan become almost a protectorate of British India. Means had internal autonomy but not external autonomy.
- Relations after independence
India declared that they are natural partners with inseperable future, entered into Treaty Of Friendship And Co-op 1949.Key provisions include-
- Art.1 of the treaty recognizes that India and Bhutan friendship is for all times to come.It suggest that there shall be perpetual peace and friendship between the two.
- Art.2 of the treaty suggest that GOI undertakes not to interfere in the internal affairs of Bhutan.
The other provisions are similar like treaty with Nepal in context of National treatment for citizens, free trade regime and restrictions w.r.t. importing arms from the third party.
Assessment Of the Treaty:-
a) The purpose of the treaty was not to undermine the sovereignty of Bhutan.
b) There was never strict implementation of the treaty. India-Bhutan relations had considerable trust i.e. the reason India allowed Bhutan to have direct negotiations.
c) Understanding the aspirations of Govt. of Bhutan,GOI and Bhutan revised the treaty in 2007.(The new treaty ensures that neither of the two countries will allow to use of their territory for the activities which are harmful for security interest of each other.
- Economic Co-operation
Bhutan started FYP on advice of Pandit Nehru. First two were completely financed by India.Later on partially funded by India. The most important area inter alia as hydroelectricity which has now become backbone of Bhutan's economy.(Tala, Chukha and Kurichu are major projects). Planned projects are Mangdecchhu and Punat Sang Chu project.
- Security Co-operation
The shining example of this co-op is Operation All Clear against Ulfa in 2003.
CHINA FACTOR:-
Recently there has been cause of concern in Indo-Bhutan relations because of China. The former PM of Bhutan met Chinese Premier on the sidelines of Rio+20 Summit in 2012. It was reported that the China is offering a package deal to Bhutan as earliest. India and Bhutan are the two countries with whom boundary dispute with China is pending.China has 19 rounds of talks with Bhutan. The reported package deal offered is land swap deal near Chumbi valley.
China has offered comparatively larger area in NW part in exchange of area towards the western borders of Bhutan where China can come very nearer to India(This should be cause of concern for us) .Later on it has been clarified by the Govt. of Bhutan that It has no plan for settlement of dispute with China as a package deal.
However it can not be said that to what extent India will be able to maintain its influence given China's against bigger power and hard power.
Recent controversy erupted because of GOI's decision to suspend subsidies on kerosene and cooking gas that to during election time in Bhutan. It has been interpreted as retaliatory measure done by India in response to previous govt's very liberal interpretation of the revised treaty and there has been report of Bhutan looking for China's support for non permanent member status in UNSC.
With the change in govt in Bhutan, subsidies has been restored and an aid package of $781 million have been gave to Bhutan during PM's visit to India.Prime Minister Sri N. Modi inaugarated the Supreme Court building which was constructed with assistance from GOI amounting to Rs./Nu. 793.545 million.L T Tobgay thanked the GOI for the allocation of Rs. 45 billion for the 11th FYP and Rs 5 billion for the economic stimulus plan of the Royal govt of Bhuatn.
- Art.1 of the treaty recognizes that India and Bhutan friendship is for all times to come.It suggest that there shall be perpetual peace and friendship between the two.
- Art.2 of the treaty suggest that GOI undertakes not to interfere in the internal affairs of Bhutan.
Assessment Of the Treaty:-
a) The purpose of the treaty was not to undermine the sovereignty of Bhutan.
b) There was never strict implementation of the treaty. India-Bhutan relations had considerable trust i.e. the reason India allowed Bhutan to have direct negotiations.
c) Understanding the aspirations of Govt. of Bhutan,GOI and Bhutan revised the treaty in 2007.(The new treaty ensures that neither of the two countries will allow to use of their territory for the activities which are harmful for security interest of each other.
- Economic Co-operation
Bhutan started FYP on advice of Pandit Nehru. First two were completely financed by India.Later on partially funded by India. The most important area inter alia as hydroelectricity which has now become backbone of Bhutan's economy.(Tala, Chukha and Kurichu are major projects). Planned projects are Mangdecchhu and Punat Sang Chu project.
- Security Co-operation
The shining example of this co-op is Operation All Clear against Ulfa in 2003.
CHINA FACTOR:-
Recently there has been cause of concern in Indo-Bhutan relations because of China. The former PM of Bhutan met Chinese Premier on the sidelines of Rio+20 Summit in 2012. It was reported that the China is offering a package deal to Bhutan as earliest. India and Bhutan are the two countries with whom boundary dispute with China is pending.China has 19 rounds of talks with Bhutan. The reported package deal offered is land swap deal near Chumbi valley.
China has offered comparatively larger area in NW part in exchange of area towards the western borders of Bhutan where China can come very nearer to India(This should be cause of concern for us) .Later on it has been clarified by the Govt. of Bhutan that It has no plan for settlement of dispute with China as a package deal.
However it can not be said that to what extent India will be able to maintain its influence given China's against bigger power and hard power.
Recent controversy erupted because of GOI's decision to suspend subsidies on kerosene and cooking gas that to during election time in Bhutan. It has been interpreted as retaliatory measure done by India in response to previous govt's very liberal interpretation of the revised treaty and there has been report of Bhutan looking for China's support for non permanent member status in UNSC.
With the change in govt in Bhutan, subsidies has been restored and an aid package of $781 million have been gave to Bhutan during PM's visit to India.Prime Minister Sri N. Modi inaugarated the Supreme Court building which was constructed with assistance from GOI amounting to Rs./Nu. 793.545 million.L T Tobgay thanked the GOI for the allocation of Rs. 45 billion for the 11th FYP and Rs 5 billion for the economic stimulus plan of the Royal govt of Bhuatn.
Recently there has been cause of concern in Indo-Bhutan relations because of China. The former PM of Bhutan met Chinese Premier on the sidelines of Rio+20 Summit in 2012. It was reported that the China is offering a package deal to Bhutan as earliest. India and Bhutan are the two countries with whom boundary dispute with China is pending.China has 19 rounds of talks with Bhutan. The reported package deal offered is land swap deal near Chumbi valley.
China has offered comparatively larger area in NW part in exchange of area towards the western borders of Bhutan where China can come very nearer to India(This should be cause of concern for us) .Later on it has been clarified by the Govt. of Bhutan that It has no plan for settlement of dispute with China as a package deal.
However it can not be said that to what extent India will be able to maintain its influence given China's against bigger power and hard power.
Recent controversy erupted because of GOI's decision to suspend subsidies on kerosene and cooking gas that to during election time in Bhutan. It has been interpreted as retaliatory measure done by India in response to previous govt's very liberal interpretation of the revised treaty and there has been report of Bhutan looking for China's support for non permanent member status in UNSC.
With the change in govt in Bhutan, subsidies has been restored and an aid package of $781 million have been gave to Bhutan during PM's visit to India.Prime Minister Sri N. Modi inaugarated the Supreme Court building which was constructed with assistance from GOI amounting to Rs./Nu. 793.545 million.L T Tobgay thanked the GOI for the allocation of Rs. 45 billion for the 11th FYP and Rs 5 billion for the economic stimulus plan of the Royal govt of Bhuatn.
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