. India – Bhutan Relations India shares a special relation with Bhutan. Being a land locked country, Bhutan is depended on India for most of its products and financial support and India on its part has been providing all possible support. This makes both the countries ideal example for good neighbourly relations.
King Jigme Wangchuck with his father Ugyen Wangchuck Timeline of events: . Treaty of Punaksha ( ): Bhutan become protectorate state of British India. It means Bhutan to have internal autonomy and not external autonomy . Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation( ) : India and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Peace and Friendship on August , , in Darjeeling.
The treaty is termed as the continuation of the Anglo-Bhutanese Treaty of . It treats the Himalayas as the sentinel of India’s security The Indo-Bhutan Treaty is dubbed as the corner stone of Bhutan’s foreign policy. Diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan was established in with the appointment of a resident representative of India in Thimpu. Before this India’s relations with Bhutan were looked after by the Political Officer in Sikkim.
On India’s initiative, Bhutan has become a member of the Colombo Plan in , joined Universal Postal Service in and finally India sponsored Bhutan’s membership in . Bhutan’s relations with the NAM (Non- Aligned Movement) countries is yet another initiative of India. Bhutan – Non interference in internal affairs Article – foreign policy to be guided on advice from India. Defence Article – no restriction on arms imports as long as not aimed against India or exported to India Foreign Relations Aricle Revised treaty ( ) On request of Bhutan, India revised treaty of friendship and cooperation It has been suggested that the revised one modifies India’s role from guiding partner to a close friend and equal partner.
Under the revised norms Bhutan no longer require India’s approval over importing arms. There are no limitations for Bhutan with respect to other countries, but it cannot use its territory for activities against India’s security