BHUTAN & INDIA - BHUTAN RELATIONSHIP

Bhutan is a landscape nation in the womb of the eternal Himalayas. Bhutan is a landlocked nation, it is dependent on India for its trans-sea operations. Bhutan is famous for its landscape & natural beauty.

Bhutan is known locally as "Druk Yul" or "Land of the Thunder Dragon", a name reflecting the cultural heritage of the country

India Bhutan Border States-

West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh share their boundaries with Bhutan

Bhutan was primarily governed by a monarchy.

While.. Phuntsholing is its … financial center.

Gross national happiness-

The term "gross national happiness" was coined in …..1972 by Bhutan's fourth Dragon King,….Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who has opened Bhutan to the age of modernization.  GNH value is proposed to be an index function of the total average per capita of the following measures:

1. Economic Wellness:

 Indicated via direct survey and statistical measurement of economic metrics such as consumer debt, average income to consumer price index ratio and income distribution

2. Environmental Wellness:

 Indicated via direct survey and statistical measurement of environmental metrics such as pollution, noise and traffic

3. Physical Wellness:

 Indicated via statistical measurement of physical health metrics such as severe illnesses

4. Mental Wellness:

Indicated via direct survey and statistical measurement of mental health metrics such as usage of antidepressants and rise or decline of psychotherapy patients

5. Workplace Wellness:

Indicated via direct survey and statistical measurement of labor metrics such as jobless claims, job change, workplace complaints, and lawsuits

6. Social Wellness:

Indicated via direct survey and statistical measurement of social metrics such as discrimination, safety, divorce rates, complaints of domestic conflicts and family lawsuits, public lawsuits, crime rates

7. Political Wellness:

 Indicated via direct survey and statistical measurement of political metrics such as the quality of local democracy, individual freedom, and foreign conflicts.

The above seven metrics were incorporated into the first Global GNH Survey.

Bhutan: first country to go organic-

Food labeling takes center stage in California, which is going to the polls to decide on how to label GMO foods, a decision that might have implications for the US policy on food labeling.

While this is happening in the Golden State, on the other side of the World, in the Himalayas, the small kingdom of Bhutan is aiming to become the first nation to go 100% organic within the next decade

India Bhutan Relations-

Treaty of Friendship, 1949

On August 8, 1949, Bhutan and India signed the Treaty of Friendship, calling for peace between the two nations and non-interference in each other's internal affairs. 

Bhutan agreed to let India "guide" its foreign policy and both nations would consult each other closely on foreign and defense affairs.

The treaty also … established free trade and …..extradition protocols.

 Scholars regard the effect of the treaty is to make Bhutan into a.. protected state, but not a protectorate, because Bhutan continues to have the power to conduct its foreign police.

-The protectorate was a region or former country that is now under another country's control without sovereignty.

-A protected state was a sovereign country that had placed itself under the protection of a more powerful one.)

-Bhutan was ruled by Jig me – Wang-chuck. The ruler declared that democracy would be established in Bhutan in the year 2006.

The ruler Jig me-wan-chook declared to eradicate the throne in favor of his …son Jigme-khesar-wan –chook.

Establishment of Democracy 2008–

This is how in March 2008 the 100-year-old monarchy was abolished & after its establishment (democracy).

-The India-Bhutan relations are based on the treaty of 1949. According to the treaty, India would never interfere in the internal affairs of Bhutan but at that time Bhutan was not a member of the U.N.O.

Demand for Revision of Treaty of 1949-

Hence the treaty specified that Bhutan by deciding its foreign policy would negotiate with India, but after the establishment of democracy its educated intellectuals demanded for revision of treaty of 1949.

-Since Bhutan is now a member of U.N.O, it is independent sovereign nation it should have right to take decision of its own without discussing it with any nation.

The new Monarch of Bhutan is a well educated ruler, doesn’t want that development should be measured in terms of G.D.P., per capita income, rather he suggested that in Bhutan it should be measured as gross-domestic happiness.

The present Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi chose Bhutan as his first foreign destination in 2014, placing regional co-operation before global co-operation.

-He had inaugurated the .Supreme Court Complex in Bhutan and also promised help to Bhutan on..IT and digital sector.

In South Asia, Bhutan ranks

- first in ….economic freedom, ease of doing business, and peace;

-Second in per capita income; and is the …least corrupt countryas of 2016.

- In 2020, Bhutan ranked third in South Asia after Sri Lanka and the Maldives in the Human Development Index.

However, Bhutan continues to be a ….least developed country.

Hydroelectricity accounts for the major share of its exports  Hydroelectricity accounts for the major share of its exports.

Challenges in the India-Bhutan Relations-

Border Disputes:

India and Bhutan share a 699 km long border, which has been largely peaceful.

However, there have been some incidents of border incursions by Chinese forces in recent years.

The Doklam standoff in 2017 was a major flashpoint in the India-China-Bhutan tri-junction.

Doklam is an area disputed between China and Bhutan located near their tri-junction with India. Unlike China and Bhutan, India does not claim Doklam but supports Bhutan's claim.

Hydropower Projects:

Bhutan's hydropower sector is a key pillar of its economy, and India has been a major partner in its development.

However, there have been concerns in Bhutan over the terms of some of the hydropower projects, which have been seen as too favorable to India.

This has led to some public opposition in Bhutan to Indian involvement in the sector

China's Growing Influence:

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.

However, China's growing economic and military influence in the region poses a challenge to India's strategic interests in Bhutan.

Trade Issues:

India is Bhutan's largest trading partner, accounting for over 80% of Bhutan's total imports and exports. 

There have been  concerns in Bhutan over the trade imbalance, with Bhutan importing more from India than it exports.

Bhutan has been seeking greater access to the Indian market for its products, which could help to reduce the trade deficit.

-On 13 December 2023, Bhutan was officially delisted as a least developed country. The least developed countries (LDCs) are developing countries listed by the United Nations that exhibit the lowest indicators of socioeconomic development.

-----------------------