Recent Indo_Bhutan Relations: Nosy in International or Beneficial in Real

Bhutan is a landlocked Himalayan Kingdom in the eastern part of South Asia. The People’s Republic of China is on its north and the country is surrounded by India on its South East and West. Bhutan is India’s closest ally. Beyond establishing a close strategic, economic, and political relationship with Bhutan and attempting to give a message to China Narendra Modi rightly termed Indo-Bhutan Relations as ‘’examplanary’’ in his visit to Bhutan as the Premier of the largest democracy in the world second term. The motto of his visit was, ‘’ catch the youth and charm them’’ to focus on the Bhutanese youth. Bhutan has always India’s closest ally and backtrack China’s overtures for diplomatic and economic ties, though recently there are young voices in Bhutan that want it to engage with China. On the other hand Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his second visit to Bhutan attaches high priority to Bhutan as its trusted friend which is the continuation of India’s Neighbourhood First policy. Both the Government discussed to further strengthen and diversify the bilateral partnership including economic and development cooperation, hydropower cooperation, people to people ties. Therefore in this article we are going to analyse  (a) the recent ups and downs of Indo-Bhutan Relations during Doklam Crisis and Beyond; (b) India’s economic assistance to Bhutan—Hydro-electric cooperation;  (c) India’s assistance during COVID 19 period.

Keywords:
India, Doklam, Bhutan, Hydroelectricity, COVID 19 and Galwan Clash