Jaishankar, who received the King said the visit will “further strengthen” the close and unique India-Bhutan partnership…reports Asian Lite News
King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck arrived on a three-day visit to India on Monday. He is accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs and External TradeTandi Dorji, and other senior officials of the Royal Government of Bhutan.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who received him at the New Delhi airport said the visit will “further strengthen” the close and unique India-Bhutan partnership.
“Honoured to welcome His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, on his arrival in India. His visit will further strengthen the close and unique India-Bhutan partnership,” he wrote on Twitter.
During the visit, the King of Bhutan will meet with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. EAM Jaishankar and senior officials will call on him during his stay in New Delhi.
The visit would provide both the sides an opportunity to review their bilateral cooperation and to further advance the close bilateral partnership, including economic and development cooperation.
Regular high-level visits
The visit will take forward what is a unique relationship sustained by a tradition of regular high-level visits between the two countries.
Prime Minister Modi visited Bhutan in August 2019 while EAM S Jaishankar visited the country in 2019 and April 2022. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra visited Bhutan in January 2023.
On the other hand, the King of Bhutan had a transit visit in September 2022 while the PM of Bhutan visited India in 2018 and 2019. Additionally, the Foreign Minister and Foreign Secretary of Bhutan visited India in 2019 and 2022 respectively.
Economic and trade partnership
India has consistently been Bhutan’s top trading partner, and remains the leading source of investments in Bhutan.
It may be recalled that in November 2021, the Government of India had formalised the opening of seven new trade routes for Bhutan’s bilateral and transit trade with India. Additionally, new market access was provided for allowing formal export of 12 agri-products from Bhutan to India, and various special exceptions/ quotas for export are also provided.
The Indian Government has been providing assistance to Bhutan’s Five Year Plans (FYPs) since 1961. For the XII FYP (2018-23), the assistance is the tune of Rs 4500 Cr for various multi-sectoral Project Tied Assistance, Small Development Projects, and Direct Budgetary Support.
Hydro-power Cooperation provides clean power for India and economic prosperity for Bhutan with a steady stream of revenue which witnessed positive growth even during the Covid-19 pandemic. Indian assistance has ensured the installation of over 2000 MW of capacity with four mega hydro projects since the 1980s; two projects are under construction.
Space, a new frontier
Prime Ministers of the two countries had jointly inaugurated the Ground Earth Station of the South Asia Satellite (SAS) in Thimphu in 2019. The facility has been constructed with the support of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
In November 2020, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between India and Bhutan on cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space; training of domain experts is underway.
The India-Bhutan SAT was launched into space on November 26, 2022 by ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The Ground Earth Station for the satellite was inaugurated during the visit of the ISRO Chairman. Bhutan will receive high-resolution photos from the India-Bhutan SAT for the management of its natural resources.
The two counties have also seen cooperation in newer areas beyond the traditional realms of cooperation such as new STEM-based initiatives, establishment of digital infrastructure such as the Third International Internet Gateway, and integration of Bhutan’s DrukRen with India’s National Knowledge Network.
Longstanding ties
In a pre-departure statement, Thimpu too stressed that the King’s visit is a testament to the longstanding and deep-rooted friendship between Bhutan and India, and will further strengthen the close ties between the two countries.
Also accompanying Bhutan’s fifth King is the country’s Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister Tandi Dorji and other senior officials of the royal government.
Interestingly, it was Dorji who had signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bhutan and China in October 2021 which listed a ‘three-step roadmap’ for expediting the boundary negotiations between the two neighbouring countries.
“It is expected that the implementation of this roadmap in a spirit of goodwill, understanding and accommodation will bring the boundary negotiations to a successful conclusion that is acceptable to both sides,” said the Bhutanese Foreign Ministry after the signing of the MoU.
Boundary negotiations between Bhutan and China began in 1984 and the two sides have held over two dozen rounds of boundary talks and several rounds of meetings at the ‘Expert Group’ level. The negotiations have been guided by the 1988 Joint Communique on the Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the Boundary and the 1998 Agreement on the maintenance of peace, tranquility and status quo in the Bhutan-China Border areas.
From an Indian perspective, Bhutan-China relations must not undermine the special ties between New Delhi and Thimpu. Besides, any agreement between the two countries must ensure India’s national security, especially the safety of the Siliguri corridor that connects the rest of India with the northeast.
The security of the corridor was in prime focus during the 73-day standoff between India and China in 2017.