India relaxes its hegemony on Bhutan's foreign policy
New Delhi, January 09: Making a historic shift in the relation, Bhutan and India revised the Bhutan-India treaty on January 8 in Darjeeling.
The 57-year-old treaty was patently unequal and widely seen as a symbol of New Delhi’s hegemonic intent in the subcontinent.
India has agreed to undertake permanent changes to allow the Bhutan a more independent in its foreign policy. Language in Article 2 of the treaty which asks Bhutan to be “guided by the advice of Government of India in regard to its external relations,” has been replaced by “language of friendly cooperation” that, in effect, will give a free hand to Thimpu in international affairs as long as it does not act against Indian interests.
Another important change is Article 6 which allows Bhutan to import “arms, ammunition, machines, warlike material or stores” for its “strength” and “welfare” but with India’s “assistance and approval”. Bhutan now not requires any approval in purchase of non-lethal military stores and equipment.
Article 4 of the treaty, which refers to India returning 32 sq miles territory in the area of Dewangiri, has been removed as action has already be taken on this issue.
According to the press statement released simultaneously by foreign ministries of both the countries, the revision “aims to consolidate the mutually beneficial relationship in a manner that is responsive to and serves each other’s national interest through close cooperation and will also enable the further intensification of relations in areas like hydropower cooperation, trade and commerce, and human resource development.”
The finalization of the friendship treaty reflects the desire of both the government to put in place a sound framework for the future growth of Indo-Bhutan relations following the recent transfer of responsibilities to new king.
“It is a tribute to India’s unfailing friendship and support that Bhutan, today, is able to stand by side with India in the international community as a close friend and ally. Our two countries have successfully built up an enduring and mutually beneficial relationship based on genuine goodwill and friendship, shared interests, and close understanding and cooperation that stand out today as a model of bilateral relations between neighboring countries,” the release reads.
Besides this the revision involves broadening the scope of economic relations, particularly enabling “further intensification” of relations in hydel power cooperation, trade and commerce.
Signed during the last years of Jigme Dorji, these agreements were based on treaties that Britain had imposed on Bhutan and Nepal in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of the provisions of the 1949 treaty that seemed to undermine Bhutan’s independence and sovereignty had ceased to operate in practice.
India was reconsidering the terms of this outdated treaty came last September, when the then Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran said India had “no objections” to its revision. The new foreign secretary Shiv Shankar Menon’s first trip abroad was to Bhutan last October, where he discussed the renewal of the treaty with the rulers of Thimpu. During the External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s visit to Thimpu in December, India had publicly stated its readiness to rework the treaty.
The revised treaty with Bhutan is to be signed when future King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk visits India in the coming few weeks.Bhutan News Service