India accords a great priority to Bhutan in the context of neighbourhood first policy aimed at enhancing physical, digital and people to people connectivity across its immediate neighbourhood as well as augmenting trade and commerce. The Indian emphasis on neighbourhood policy as well as the major role of Bhutan within it were once evident when Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a two-day visit to Bhutan on March 22-23, 2024.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs had stated that the visit of PM Modi to Bhutan was in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between India and Bhutan and the Government’s emphasis on its Neighbourhood First Policy. Highlighting the significance of India-Bhutan relations, the MEA said in a statement before the visit: “ India and Bhutan share a unique and enduring partnership which is rooted in mutual trust, understanding and goodwill. Our shared spiritual heritage and warm people to people ties add depth and vibrancy to our exceptional relations. The visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on bilateral and regional matters of interest and deliberate on ways to expand and intensify our exemplary partnership for the benefit of our peoples.” It would not be an exaggeration to say that the visit of Modi went a long way in intensifying the ‘exemplary partnership”. It is also significant that when Narendra Modi was elected as the Indian Prime Minister for his first term in 2014, he chose Bhutan for his first ever foreign visit. Modi had then remarked that India would continue to be associated with the progress of Bhutan and will continue to do so. “ The two countries are made for each other. The colour of our passports may vary, but our heritage and values remain the same,” Modi had then remarked.
On March 22, Modi met with Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and both Prime Ministers witnessed the exchange of 7 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) which are as follows: MoU on general supply of Petroleum, Oil, Lubricants (POL) and related products from India to Bhutan which provides for a list of Petroleum, Oil, Lubricants related items. As part of the MoU, the Government of India would facilitate its supply to Bhutan through agreed entry/exit point; Agreement for recognition of official control exercised by Bhutan Food And Drug Authority (BFDA) by Food Safety and Standards Authority Of India (FSSAI) which will make the export inspection certificate issued by BFDA acceptable by FSSAI for compliance with requirements prescribed by FSSAI, while exporting the products to India; MoU on cooperation in the field of Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation measures which aims to assist Bhutan to enhance energy efficiency in the household sector by promoting star labelling programme developed by Bureau of Energy Efficiency; MoU on cooperation in Sports and Youth which would help further people to people linkages between India and Bhutan by advancing linkages between sports agencies of both sides and conduct sports activities/programmes; MoU on cooperation concerning sharing reference standard, pharmacopoeia, vigilance and testing of medicinal products which would allow for acceptance of Indian Pharmacopoeia by Bhutan as a book of standards for medicines and supply of generic medicines at affordable price; Joint Plan of Action (JPOA) on Space Cooperation which provides a concrete roadmap for further developing space cooperation between the two counties through exchange programmes, training etc; and Renewal of MoU on Peering Arrangement between National Knowledge Network of India (NKN) and Druk Research And Education Network of Bhutan which will enhance digital connectivity between India and Bhutan and will benefit the scholars and research institutions of Bhutan.In addition, both sides have also agreed on and initialled the text of the MoU on Establishment of Rail Links between India and Bhutan.- The MoU provides for establishment of two proposed rail links between India and Bhutan, including the Kokrajhar-Gelephu rail link and Banarhat-Samtse rail link and their implementation modalities.
Modi was also conferred with Bhutan’s highest civilian award Order of the Druk Gyalpo by Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the Fourth King of Bhutan in a public ceremony at the Tendrelthang, Thimphu. Modi received the award in recognition to his contribution to strengthening India-Bhutan friendship and his people centric leadership.The award also honours India’s rise as a global power under his leadership, and celebrates Bhutan’s special bond with India. Modi is the foreign leader who has received this honour. Expressing gratitude, Modi said that this was an honour bestowed on the 1.4 billion people of Bharat and a testament to the special and unique ties between the two countries.
India is committed in assisting the all-round development of Bhutan. In line with this commitment, Modi announced that India will grant an assistance of Rs 10,0000 crores to support the 13th Five Year Plan of Bhutan. India has been the largest development partner of Bhutan since the inception of Bhutan’s Five -Year Plan process. This Indian assistance is a significant feature in the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Modi, along with the Bhutanese Prime Minister also inaugurated the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck Mother and Child Hospital, a state-of-the-art hospital, in Thimpu. The hospital has been built with the assistance of India. The 150-bed hospital was supported by the Government of India in two phases. Phase one of the Hospital was constructed at a cost of Rs. 22 Crores and is operational since 2019. The construction of the second phase was taken up in 2019, as part of the 12th Five Year Plan at a cost of Rs. 119 Crores, and has been completed now.
Modi’s visit to Bhutan reciprocated the visit of Tshering Tobgay’s earlier official state visit to India from March 14 to March 18, 2024. During his visit, Tshering Tobgay conveyed the deep appreciation of the people and the Royal Government of Bhutan to the people and Government of India for India’s continued support to Bhutan’s economic development.
Modi’s visit also carries geo-political significance and is paramount to India’s security interests in the context of China’s increasing engagement with Bhutan.
By Dr. Ankit Srivastava, Chief Editor
Email: ankits@newdelhitimes.com
Twitter : @AnkitNDT