Bhutan–India relations

The bilateral relations between the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan and the Republic of India have been traditionally close. With independence in 1947, India inherited the suzerainty over Bhutan enjoyed by the British Raj. Although modified and modernised since, India remains influential over Bhutan's foreign policy, defence and commerce.

Background

For much of history, Bhutan has preserved its isolation from the outside world, staying out of international organisations and maintaining few bilateral relations. Bhutan became a protectorate of British India after signing a treaty in 1910 allowing the British to "guide" its foreign affairs and defence. Bhutan was one of the first to recognize India's independence in 1947 and both nations fostered close relations, their importance augmented by the annexation of Tibet in 1950 by the People's Republic of China and its border disputes with both Bhutan and India, which saw close ties with Nepal and Bhutan to be central to its "Himalayan frontier" security policy. India shares a 605 kilometres (376 miles) border with Bhutan and is its largest trading partner, accounting for 98 percent of its exports and 90 percent of its imports. [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601091&sid=ae7X6KWq6mCk&refer=india Singh Visits Bhutan to Show India Backs Its Democratic Changes] ]

1949 Treaty

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. [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+bt0078) Indo-Bhutanese relations] ] However, Bhutan agreed to let India "guide" its foreign policy and both nations would consult each other closely on foreign and defence affairs. The treaty also established free trade and extradition protocols. [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+bt0078) Indo-Bhutanese relations] ]

The occupation of Tibet by Communist China brought both nations even closer. [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+bt0078) Indo-Bhutanese relations] ] [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/IA17Df02.html Asia Times Online] ] In 1958, the then-Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru visited Bhutan and reiterated India's support for Bhutan's independence and later declared in the Indian Parliament that any aggression against Bhutan would be seen as aggression against India. [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+bt0078) Indo-Bhutanese relations] ] The period saw a major increase in India's economic, military and development aid to Bhutan, which had also embarked on a programme of modernisation to bolster its security. While India repeatedly reiterated its military support to Bhutan, the latter expressed concerns about India's ability to protect Bhutan against China while fighting a two-front war involving Pakistan. [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+bt0078) Indo-Bhutanese relations] ] Despite good relations, India and Bhutan did not complete a detailed of their borders until the period between 1973 and 1984. [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+bt0078) Indo-Bhutanese relations] ] Border demarcation talks with India generally resolved disagreements except for several small sectors, including the middle zone between Sarpang and Geylegphug and the eastern frontier with the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+bt0078) Indo-Bhutanese relations] ]

Distancing from India

Although relations remained close and friendly, the Bhutanese government expressed a need to renegotiate parts of the treaty to enhance Bhutan's sovereignty. [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+bt0078) Indo-Bhutanese relations] ] Bhutan began to slowly assert an independent attitude in foreign affairs by joining the United Nations in 1971, recognising Bangladesh and signing a new trade agreement in 1972 that provided an exemption from export duties for goods from Bhutan to third countries. [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+bt0078) Indo-Bhutanese relations] ] Bhutan exerted its independent stance at the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit conference in Havana, Cuba also in 1979, by voting with China and some Southeast Asian countries rather than with India on the issue of allowing Cambodia's Khmer Rouge to be seated at the conference. [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+bt0078) Indo-Bhutanese relations] ] Unlike in Nepal, where its 1950 treaty with India is subject of great political controversy and nationalist resentment for decades, the nature of Bhutan's relationship with India has not been affected by concerns over the treaty provisions. [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/IA17Df02.html Asia Times Online] ] [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020405/edit.htm#5 Tribune India] ] From 2003 to 2004, the Royal Bhutanese Army conducted operations against anti-India insurgents of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) that were operating bases in Bhutan and using its territory to carry out attacks on Indian soil. [http://www.ipcs.org/printSouthAsiaArticle.jsp?action=showView&kValue=2540&status=article&keyArticle= Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies] ]

2007 treaty

India renegotiated the 1949 treaty with Bhutan and signed a new treaty of friendship in 2007. The new treaty replaced the provision requiring Bhutan to take India's guidance on foreign policy with broader sovereignty and not require Bhutan to obtain India's permission over arms imports. [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/IA17Df02.html Asia Times Online] ] In 2008, Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh visited Bhutan and expressed strong support for Bhutan's move towards democracy. [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601091&sid=ae7X6KWq6mCk&refer=india Singh Visits Bhutan to Show India Backs Its Democratic Changes] ] India allows 16 entry and exit points for Bhutanese trade with other countries and has agreed to import a minimum of 5,000 megawatts of electricity from Bhutan by 2020. [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601091&sid=ae7X6KWq6mCk&refer=india Singh Visits Bhutan to Show India Backs Its Democratic Changes] ]

References