India and Bhutan has always been a boon
companion since the visit of first Indian prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal
Nehru to Bhutan in 1958 which remains a landmark in relationship between the
two countries till date. During his visit, he witnessed love and affection
showered upon him by every citizen of the country which left an undeniable
impression on him and convinced him of invariable potential and richness of
India-Bhutan relations that would come in future. His majesty third king Jigme
Dorji Wangchuck and Indian prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru have cemented
foundation of this relationship.
Only after this, Bhutan slowly opened herself to
the world for modernization and development. India has helped Bhutan to develop
at a speedy pace within a short period of time through plans and policies. One
major toehold was for consistent development, Five Year Plans were initiated.
On 26 September 1958, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had a discussion for two days emphasizing on social
and economic developments of Bhutan. The discussion was mainly focused on
construction of road/highway between India and Bhutan, and within Bhutan. The
following year, third king visited to New Delhi in September 1959 for the
finalization and Indian Government agreed to render technical and financial
assistance for the construction of road to connect Bhutan and India. In this
regard, Bhutan’s first five year plan began from (1961-1966) which was financed
solely by the Government of India. India has always been a crucial supporter to
Bhutan’s five year development plan since then and till date.
After implementing the ideology of the five year
development plan and with the assistance from the Indian Government, Bhutan has
been experiencing a significant development socially as well as economically.
There was a huge improvement regarding the basic infrastructural facilities
like development of road, power supply, communication and transportation,
drastic change in the agriculture sectors and animal husbandry and in many
other fields.
Literacy is an all-important indicator for the
socio-economic development and accordingly importance was given on that.
Literacy rate began to improve through establishment of schools and
institutions in the country, introduction of specialized and highly qualified
teachers from India and sending Bhutanese scholars to India. Since then
improvement in literacy rate has played vital role in shaping the nation as we
know that Education is the foundation of development and modernization.
With financial assistance from India, many
hospitals were established all across the country for better health and
wellbeing of the citizen. Equipment and technologies were introduced to improve
old-age agriculture which has been backbone of the nation and only through this
people began to move to commercial farming from subsistence. Besides, small
scale industries began to develop with time along the border of the nations.
Hydropower is one of the main pillars of
bilateral cooperation. Hydropower is a win-win asset for both the nations,
while India gets a reliable source of inexpensive electricity and Bhutan’s
major source of revenue come from hydropower. Accordingly India has helped
Bhutan with development of Hydropower Projects both financially and
technically, and will be helping for times to come in near future.
Indian has been the largest trade developing
partner of the Bhutan. There is a free trade regime between the territories of
the India and Bhutan. Bilateral trade is conducted in Indian rupee which is
fully convertible to ngultrum. Bhutan exports one-third of electricity in cheap
rate to India and in return India sells petroleum in cheap rate to Bhutan. We
can clearly sense from here that how strong and understanding trade relations
are going on between two countries.
In order to have strong relations between two
countries there must be more number of India-Bhutan Foundation project which
will definitely improve people-to-people cooperation in the area of culture,
education and environment protections. Bhutanese students are being provided
with scholarship to pursue degree/master in various colleges/universities of
India. Similarly Nehru Wangchuck Culture has been established to preserve and
promote unique culture of both the nations which ultimate strengthen the
relations between two countries.
Indian-Bhutan relation has been shaped by their
histories, cultures and geopolitical realities. More than this, wise and
visionary leadership of two countries have been a great catalyst to make this
bilateral relationship a dream come true within a short span of time. Besides,
trust, faith and patriotism shown by the people of both the nations have shown
a great impact for the enhancement of this relationship. It is the exemplary to
showcase the world that successful relation of two neighbors and those two
asymmetrical countries can co-exist and prosper.
As we mark the Golden jubilee relation between
two countries we always pray for our Long Live Friendship: India-Bhutan
Relationship to live and prosper for all the times to come. Let’s together do
it!
Thank you
