Bhutan has achieved progress that India (or any other nation) could well follow, from infrastructural development to energy sufficiency. Interestingly, it has done so with help from India as India is its largest partner to provide aid. In an interaction, Tenzin Rondel Wangchuk, the Counsellor at Bhutanese Embassy in India reveals issues, irritants, and much more:
“5 things Bhutan appreciates about India...”
RELATIONSHIP: Because of the historical and cultural ties amongst a multitude of other reasons, India and Bhutan share an extremely close and cordial relationship. This relationship exists not because of geographic and political compulsions but because there is a pervading goodwill and friendship which is remarkably genuine and honest.
SUPPORT FOR UN MEMBERSHIP: For Bhutan to advance as a modern independent state in the comity of nations, the single most important step in our modern history was joining the United Nations on September 21, 1971. India sponsored our membership to the United Nations and this is something all Bhutanese will always appreciate.
ECONOMIC COOPERATION: India is Bhutan’s largest trading partner and therefore shares a very close economic relation. Bhutan and India have a Free Trade Agreement in place which facilitates free and uninterrupted trade. An important initiative taken by them is concerning cooperation in the field of hydropower electricity. This agreement envisages development of 10,000 MW of electricity of 2020, much of which will be sold to India to the meet demand for energy to drive its booming economy.
NON-INTERFERENCE INTERNAL ISSUES: As our closest neighbour and friend, India has never interfered in our internal matters. In fact, Bhutan has gone through great political changes and economic advancement in the last five decades or so. Through all these changes, India has been one country and a true friend which has always supported Bhutan.
DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS: Bhutan is a developing country and heavily reliant on donor assistance. India is by far the biggest donor to Bhutan. The first two five year plans were completely financed by India.
“And the 5 things we dislike...”
BORDER SECURITY: We share our borders with four Indian states. The problem of militancy in some of these states does affect Bhutan in some ways and is also a security concern for both countries. The unmanned porous forested border has been used in the past by the militants from these states to get away into Bhutan and they had even established camps until they were flushed out in the military operation.
THE REGION: Our region is home to one fourth of this world’s inhabitants. Economic growth cannot happen in isolation. Fortunately, SAARC provides a common platform to pursue such regional objectives. India can do more. Perhaps there is a need for confidence building measures to be accelerated amongst the member states.
POOR INFRASTRUCTURE: India’s one of the biggest draw backs is infrastructure. Connectivity between states and cities needs to be improved.
CLEAN ENERGY: Climate change is for real and is here now. It is affecting all of us directly and indirectly. If not addressed immediately, it may obliterate the entire human race from this planet in the near future. It’s a challenge for India to sustain growth while addressing climate change issues.
“5 things Bhutan appreciates about India...”
RELATIONSHIP: Because of the historical and cultural ties amongst a multitude of other reasons, India and Bhutan share an extremely close and cordial relationship. This relationship exists not because of geographic and political compulsions but because there is a pervading goodwill and friendship which is remarkably genuine and honest.
SUPPORT FOR UN MEMBERSHIP: For Bhutan to advance as a modern independent state in the comity of nations, the single most important step in our modern history was joining the United Nations on September 21, 1971. India sponsored our membership to the United Nations and this is something all Bhutanese will always appreciate.
ECONOMIC COOPERATION: India is Bhutan’s largest trading partner and therefore shares a very close economic relation. Bhutan and India have a Free Trade Agreement in place which facilitates free and uninterrupted trade. An important initiative taken by them is concerning cooperation in the field of hydropower electricity. This agreement envisages development of 10,000 MW of electricity of 2020, much of which will be sold to India to the meet demand for energy to drive its booming economy.
NON-INTERFERENCE INTERNAL ISSUES: As our closest neighbour and friend, India has never interfered in our internal matters. In fact, Bhutan has gone through great political changes and economic advancement in the last five decades or so. Through all these changes, India has been one country and a true friend which has always supported Bhutan.
DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS: Bhutan is a developing country and heavily reliant on donor assistance. India is by far the biggest donor to Bhutan. The first two five year plans were completely financed by India.
“And the 5 things we dislike...”
BORDER SECURITY: We share our borders with four Indian states. The problem of militancy in some of these states does affect Bhutan in some ways and is also a security concern for both countries. The unmanned porous forested border has been used in the past by the militants from these states to get away into Bhutan and they had even established camps until they were flushed out in the military operation.
THE REGION: Our region is home to one fourth of this world’s inhabitants. Economic growth cannot happen in isolation. Fortunately, SAARC provides a common platform to pursue such regional objectives. India can do more. Perhaps there is a need for confidence building measures to be accelerated amongst the member states.
POOR INFRASTRUCTURE: India’s one of the biggest draw backs is infrastructure. Connectivity between states and cities needs to be improved.
CLEAN ENERGY: Climate change is for real and is here now. It is affecting all of us directly and indirectly. If not addressed immediately, it may obliterate the entire human race from this planet in the near future. It’s a challenge for India to sustain growth while addressing climate change issues.
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