A good neighbour

That the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan –so strategically situated adjoining Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim – is one of India's best neighbours has been once again proved when it chose Prime Minister Narendra Modi for conferment of Ngadag Pel gi Khorlo, the highest civilian award of that country. Modi's name was announced by Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on the occasion of the national day of his kingdom. Bhutan and India share a lot of things in common, and the bond of friendship between the people of the two countries date back to time immemorial. The Bhutanese King also highlighted the unconditional friendship and support Modi extended over the years and particularly during the pandemic by way of naming the Indian Prime Minister for the prestigious decoration. It may be recalled that diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan were first formally established in 1968 with the appointment of a resident representative of India in Thimphu. Before this, India's relations with Bhutan were looked after by a Political Officer posted in Sikkim. The basic framework of India–Bhutan bilateral relations are defined in the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation of 1949 between the two countries, which was updated and signed during the visit to India of His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in February 2007. The updated India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty is not only reflective of the contemporary nature of the relationship between the two neighbours but also lays the foundation for future mutual development in the 21st century. It is important to note that the two neighbours, under the Treaty, lay priority, amongst other things, on perpetual peace and friendship, free trade and commerce, and equal justice to each other's citizens. It is important to note that India's bilateral political relations with Bhutan have matured over the years and are characterized by close trust and understanding and extensive cooperation in the field of economic development, particularly in the mutually beneficial sector of hydroelectric power. Bhutan shares 515 km of its 699 km international boundary with the Northeastern region. The state-wise break-up is - Assam (267 km), Arunachal Pradesh (217 km) and Sikkim (32 km). The fourth Indian state which shares an international boundary with Bhutan is West Bengal (183 km). India is not only Bhutan's main development partner but also its leading trade partner. A free trade regime exists between India and Bhutan. The India-Bhutan Trade and Commerce Agreement which expired in March 2005, has been renewed for 10 years.

Currently, the major items of exports from Bhutan to India are electricity (from Tala, Chukha and Kurichhu Hydroelectric Project), base metals and articles, minerals, vegetable fat and oils, alcoholic beverages, chemicals, cement, timber and wood products, cardamom, fruit products, potatoes, oranges and apples, raw silk, plastic and rubber products. Major exports from India to Bhutan are petroleum products, mineral products, base metals and articles, machinery, automobiles & spares, vegetable, nuts, spices, processed food and animal products, chemicals, wood, plastic and rubber. The Agreement on Trade and Commerce also provides for duty-free transit of Bhutanese merchandise for trade with third countries. There are 16 exit/entry points in India identified in the Protocol for Bhutan's third-country trade, these being Jaigaon, Chamurchi, Ulta Pani, Hathisar (Gelephu), Darranga, Kolkata, Haldia, Dhubri, Raxaul, Panitanki, Changrabandh, Phulbari, Dawki, New Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai. Of these, Kolkata, Haldia, Mumbai and Chennai are also the designated seaports, Dhubri is the riverine route, New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata are the air routes and Raxaul is the rail route. The others are designated surface routes. The governments of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Sikkim need to pay special attention to the India-Bhutan border. This is required because, though the international boundary comes under the purview of the Ministry of External Affairs, there has been a people-to-people relationship between Bhutan and the Northeast since time immemorial. There is a lot of mutual dependence on people on both sides. Bhutan has a Consul office in Guwahati, which should also play a more active role in strengthening Bhutan's people-to-people relationship with the Northeast. It can probably begin with a football exchange programme, followed by a series of cultural exchange programmes.