Bhutan–India relations - Revision history

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	{{Short description\|1=Diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Bhutan and the Republic of India}}		{{Short description\|1=Diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Bhutan and the Republic of India}}
	{{Infobox bilateral relations\|map=India Bhutan Locator2.png\|India-Bhutan\|India\|Bhutan\|mission1=Royal Bhutanese Embassy, [[New Delhi]]\|mission2=Embassy of India, [[Thimpu]]\|envoytitle1=Indian Ambassador to [[Bhutan]]\|envoy1=[[Ruchira Kamboj]]\|envoytitle2=Bhutanese Ambassador to [[India]]\|envoy2=Vetsop Namgyel}}		{{Infobox bilateral relations\|map=India Bhutan Locator2.png\|India-Bhutan\|India\|Bhutan\|mission1=Royal Bhutanese Embassy, [[New Delhi]]\|mission2=Embassy of India, [[Thimpu]]\|envoytitle1=Indian Ambassador to [[Bhutan]]\|envoy1=[[Ruchira Kamboj]]\|envoytitle2=Bhutanese Ambassador to [[India]]\|envoy2=Vetsop Namgyel}}
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	==1949 treaty==		==1949 treaty==

	On August 8, 1949 Bhutan and India signed the Treaty of Friendship, calling for peace between the two nations and non-interference in each other's internal affairs.<ref name="BI">{{Cite book\|url=https://www.loc.gov/item/93012226/\|title=Nepal and Bhutan: Country Studies\|date=1993\|publisher=[[Federal Research Division]], [[Library of Congress]]\|isbn=0-8444-0777-1\|editor-last=Savada\|editor-first=Andrea Matles\|edition=3rd\|location=Washington, D.C.\|pages=~~330-331~~\|oclc=27429416\|postscript=. {{PD-notice}}}}</ref> However, Bhutan agreed to let India "guide" its foreign policy and both nations would consult each other closely on foreign and defense affairs. The treaty also established [[free trade]] and [[extradition]] protocols.<ref name="BI"/> Scholars regard the effect of the treaty is to make Bhutan into a [[protectorate\|protected state]], but not a [[protectorate]], because Bhutan continues to have the power to conduct its own foreign policy.<ref name=Willigen>		On August 8, 1949 Bhutan and India signed the Treaty of Friendship, calling for peace between the two nations and non-interference in each other's internal affairs.<ref name="BI">{{Cite book\|url=https://www.loc.gov/item/93012226/\|title=Nepal and Bhutan: Country Studies\|date=1993\|publisher=[[Federal Research Division]], [[Library of Congress]]\|isbn=0-8444-0777-1\|editor-last=Savada\|editor-first=Andrea Matles\|edition=3rd\|location=Washington, D.C.\|pages=330–331\|oclc=27429416\|postscript=. {{PD-notice}}}}</ref> However, Bhutan agreed to let India "guide" its foreign policy and both nations would consult each other closely on foreign and defense affairs. The treaty also established [[free trade]] and [[extradition]] protocols.<ref name="BI"/> Scholars regard the effect of the treaty is to make Bhutan into a [[protectorate\|protected state]], but not a [[protectorate]], because Bhutan continues to have the power to conduct its own foreign policy.<ref name=Willigen>
	{{citation \|last=Willigen \|first=Niels van \|title=Peacebuilding and International Administration: The Cases of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UsLN-YFLKRUC&pg=PA16 \|year=2013 \|publisher=Routledge \|isbn=978-1-134-11718-5 \|pages=16– \|ref={{sfnref\|Willigen, Peacebuilding and International Administration\|2013}}}}: "Crawford (2006) distinguishes three different types of protectorates: protected states, international protectorates, and colonial protectorates. First, protected states are entities which still have substantial authority in their internal affairs, retain some control over their foreign policy, and establish their relation to the protecting state on a treaty or another legal instrument. Protected states still have qualifications of statehood."		{{citation \|last=Willigen \|first=Niels van \|title=Peacebuilding and International Administration: The Cases of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UsLN-YFLKRUC&pg=PA16 \|year=2013 \|publisher=Routledge \|isbn=978-1-134-11718-5 \|pages=16– \|ref={{sfnref\|Willigen, Peacebuilding and International Administration\|2013}}}}: "Crawford (2006) distinguishes three different types of protectorates: protected states, international protectorates, and colonial protectorates. First, protected states are entities which still have substantial authority in their internal affairs, retain some control over their foreign policy, and establish their relation to the protecting state on a treaty or another legal instrument. Protected states still have qualifications of statehood."
	</ref><ref name=Bedjaoui>		</ref><ref name=Bedjaoui>
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	==2007 treaty==		==2007 treaty==
	India re-negotiated the 1949 treaty with Bhutan and signed a new treaty of friendship in 2007. The new treaty replaced the provision requiring Bhutan to take India's guidance on foreign policy with broader sovereignty and not require Bhutan to obtain India's permission over arms imports.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://mea.gov.in/Images/pdf/india-bhutan-treaty-07.pdf\|title=INDIA-BHUTAN FRIENDSHIP TREATY\|last=https://mea.gov.in/\|date=2007-03-02\|website=mea.gov.in \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509040714/http://mea.gov.in/Images/pdf/india-bhutan-treaty-07.pdf\|archive-date=2016-05-09\|url-status=live\|access-date=2017-08-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://idsa.in/resources/documents/Ind-BhutanFriendshiptreaty.2007\|title=India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty {{!}} Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses\|website=idsa.in\|access-date=2017-08-15\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815064738/http://idsa.in/resources/documents/Ind-BhutanFriendshiptreaty.2007\|archive-date=2017-08-15}}</ref~~><ref name="AT"/~~> In 2008, India's then Prime Minister Dr. [[Manmohan Singh]] visited Bhutan and expressed strong support for Bhutan's move towards [[democracy]].<ref name="NS"/> India allows 16 entry and exit points for Bhutanese trade with other countries (the only exception being the [[People's Republic of China\|PRC]]) and has agreed to develop and import a minimum of 10,000 megawatts of electricity from Bhutan by 2021.		India re-negotiated the 1949 treaty with Bhutan and signed a new treaty of friendship in 2007. The new treaty replaced the provision requiring Bhutan to take India's guidance on foreign policy with broader sovereignty and not require Bhutan to obtain India's permission over arms imports.<ref name="AT"/><ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://mea.gov.in/Images/pdf/india-bhutan-treaty-07.pdf\|title=INDIA-BHUTAN FRIENDSHIP TREATY\|last=https://mea.gov.in/\|date=2007-03-02\|website=mea.gov.in \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509040714/http://mea.gov.in/Images/pdf/india-bhutan-treaty-07.pdf\|archive-date=2016-05-09\|url-status=live\|access-date=2017-08-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://idsa.in/resources/documents/Ind-BhutanFriendshiptreaty.2007\|title=India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty {{!}} Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses\|website=idsa.in\|access-date=2017-08-15\|url-status=live\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815064738/http://idsa.in/resources/documents/Ind-BhutanFriendshiptreaty.2007\|archive-date=2017-08-15}}</ref> In 2008, India's then Prime Minister Dr. [[Manmohan Singh]] visited Bhutan and expressed strong support for Bhutan's move towards [[democracy]].<ref name="NS"/> India allows 16 entry and exit points for Bhutanese trade with other countries (the only exception being the [[People's Republic of China\|PRC]]) and has agreed to develop and import a minimum of 10,000 megawatts of electricity from Bhutan by 2021.

	== Support ==		== Support ==

>Wiki N Islam: True meaning of the term "protected state". Correctly inter-connected within Wikipedia.

2021-04-25T10:52:05Z

True meaning of the term "protected state". Correctly inter-connected within Wikipedia.

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{{Short description|1=Diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Bhutan and the Republic of India}}
{{Infobox bilateral relations|map=India Bhutan Locator2.png|India-Bhutan|India|Bhutan|mission1=Royal Bhutanese Embassy, [[New Delhi]]|mission2=Embassy of India, [[Thimpu]]|envoytitle1=Indian Ambassador to [[Bhutan]]|envoy1=[[Ruchira Kamboj]]|envoytitle2=Bhutanese Ambassador to [[India]]|envoy2=Vetsop Namgyel}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2013}}
[[File:PM Narendra Modi meets Bhutan PM Mr. Tshering Tobgay.jpg|thumbnail|Indian PM [[Narendra Modi]] meets with Bhutanese PM [[Tshering Tobgay]]]]
The '''bilateral relations''' between the [[Himalaya]]n [[Bhutan|Kingdom of Bhutan]] and the [[India|Republic of India]] have been traditionally close and both countries share a '[[Special relationship (international relations)|special relationship]]',<ref>[http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnists/edit/handle-with-care-bhutan-is-a-friend.html Handle with care, Bhutan is a friend] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215025640/http://www.dailypioneer.com/columnists/edit/handle-with-care-bhutan-is-a-friend.html |date=2017-02-15 }}</ref><ref>[http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/narendra-modi-leaves-for-bhutan-on-his-first-foreign-visit-as-pm/articleshow/36585307.cms Narendra Modi leaves for Bhutan on his first foreign visit as PM] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215023748/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/narendra-modi-leaves-for-bhutan-on-his-first-foreign-visit-as-pm/articleshow/36585307.cms |date=2017-02-15 }}</ref> making Bhutan a [[Protectorate#Protected state|protected state]], but not a [[protectorate]], of India.<ref name=Willigen/> India remains influential over Bhutan's foreign policy, defense and commerce. Bhutan is the largest beneficiary of India's foreign aid.

==Background==
For much of its history, Bhutan has preserved its [[Isolationism|isolation]] from the outside world, staying out of international organizations and maintaining few bilateral relations. Bhutan became a [[protectorate]] of [[British India]] after signing a treaty in 1910 allowing the British to "guide" its foreign affairs and defense. Bhutan was one of the first to recognize India's independence in 1947 and both nations fostered close relations, their importance augmented by the [[Invasion of Tibet (1950-1951)|annexation of Tibet]] in 1950 by the [[People's Republic of China]] and its border disputes with both Bhutan and India, which saw close ties with [[Nepal]] and [[Bhutan]] to be central to its "Himalayan frontier" security policy.{{Citation needed|date=October 2011}} India shares a {{convert|605|km|mi}} border with Bhutan and is its largest trading partner, accounting for 98 percent of its exports and 90 percent of its imports.<ref name="NS">[https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601091&sid=ae7X6KWq6mCk&refer=india Singh Visits Bhutan to Show India Backs Its Democratic Changes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140615113915/http://www.firstpost.com/world/ne-terror-china-whats-on-pm-modis-bhutan-trip-agenda-1571127.html |date=2014-06-15 }}</ref>

==Military cooperation==
A 2,000 strong [[Indian Military Training Team]] (IMTRAT) is permanently based in western Bhutan to train the [[Royal Bhutan Army]], while other units regularly cooperate with the Royal Bhutan Army.<ref name=ButInd1>[http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/power-games-at-the-tri-junction/article19245716.ece "Power games at the tri-junction."], [[The Hindu]], 10 July 2017.</ref><ref name=ButInd2>Sudha Ramachandran, [ "China Brief: Bhutan’s Relations With China and India."], [[Jamestown Foundation]], Volume 17, Issue: 6</ref>

==1949 treaty==

On August 8, 1949 Bhutan and India signed the Treaty of Friendship, calling for peace between the two nations and non-interference in each other's internal affairs.<ref name="BI">{{Cite book|url=https://www.loc.gov/item/93012226/|title=Nepal and Bhutan: Country Studies|date=1993|publisher=[[Federal Research Division]], [[Library of Congress]]|isbn=0-8444-0777-1|editor-last=Savada|editor-first=Andrea Matles|edition=3rd|location=Washington, D.C.|pages=330-331|oclc=27429416|postscript=. {{PD-notice}}}}</ref> However, Bhutan agreed to let India "guide" its foreign policy and both nations would consult each other closely on foreign and defense affairs. The treaty also established [[free trade]] and [[extradition]] protocols.<ref name="BI"/> Scholars regard the effect of the treaty is to make Bhutan into a [[protectorate|protected state]], but not a [[protectorate]], because Bhutan continues to have the power to conduct its own foreign policy.<ref name=Willigen>
{{citation |last=Willigen |first=Niels van |title=Peacebuilding and International Administration: The Cases of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UsLN-YFLKRUC&pg=PA16 |year=2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-11718-5 |pages=16– |ref={{sfnref|Willigen, Peacebuilding and International Administration|2013}}}}: "Crawford (2006) distinguishes three different types of protectorates: protected states, international protectorates, and colonial protectorates. First, protected states are entities which still have substantial authority in their internal affairs, retain some control over their foreign policy, and establish their relation to the protecting state on a treaty or another legal instrument. Protected states still have qualifications of statehood."
</ref><ref name=Bedjaoui>
{{citation |last=Bedjaoui |first=Mohammed |title=International Law: Achievements and Prospects |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jrTsNTzcY7EC&pg=PA51 |year=1991 |publisher=Martinus Nijhoff Publishers |isbn=92-3-102716-6 |pages=51– |ref={{sfnref|Bedjaoui, International Law: Achievements and Prospects|1991}}}}: "The Treaty of Friendship of 8 August 1949 between Bhutan and India is an example of the creation of a protected State, Bhutan, with a quite loose relationship to the protecting State, India. By the terms of this Treaty of Friendship, Bhutan agreed to follow the guidance given by India in so far as external relations were concerned. India was not granted the power to exercise diplomatic rights on behalf of Bhutan and this way Bhutan remained in charge of its foreign policy."
</ref>

The occupation of Tibet by Communist China brought both nations even closer.<ref name="BI"/><ref name="AT">[http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/IA17Df02.html Asia Times Online] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140615113915/http://www.firstpost.com/world/ne-terror-china-whats-on-pm-modis-bhutan-trip-agenda-1571127.html |date=2014-06-15 }}</ref> In 1958, the then-[[Indian Prime Minister]] [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] visited Bhutan and reiterated India's support for Bhutan's independence and later declared in the [[Indian Parliament]] that any aggression against Bhutan would be seen as aggression against India.<ref name="BI"/>

In August 1959, there was a rumor in India political circle that China was seeking to 'liberate' [[Sikkim]] and [[Bhutan]]. Nehru stated in the [[Lok Sabha]] that the defense of the territorial uprightness and frontiers of Bhutan was the responsibility of the Government of India.<ref>[http://www.bhutan2008.bt/en/node/73 Visit of Nehru and Indira Gandhi] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826023419/http://www.bhutan2008.bt/en/node/73 |date=August 26, 2011 }}</ref> This statement was immediately objected to by the Prime Minister of Bhutan, saying Bhutan is not a protectorate of India nor did the treaty involve national defense of any sort.<ref>Neville Maxwell. ''India's China War'', Pantheon Books, 1970, p.115</ref>

The period saw a major increase in India's economic, military and development aid to Bhutan, which had also embarked on a programme of modernisation to bolster its security. While India repeatedly reiterated its military support to Bhutan, the latter expressed concerns about India's ability to protect Bhutan against China while fighting a two-front war involving [[Pakistan]].<ref name="BI"/> Despite good relations, India and Bhutan did not complete a detailed [[wikt:demarcation|demarcation]] of their borders until the period between 1973 and 1984.<ref name="BI"/> Border demarcation talks with India generally resolved disagreements except for several small sectors, including the middle zone between [[Sarpang]] and [[Geylegphug]] and the eastern frontier with the Indian state of [[Arunachal Pradesh]].<ref name="BI"/>

==Indo-Bhutanese relations since 1972==
[[File:Bhutanese Embassy in New Delhi.jpg|thumb|Bhutanese embassy in New Delhi]]
Although relations remained close and friendly, the Bhutanese government expressed a need to renegotiate parts of the treaty to enhance Bhutan's sovereignty.<ref name="BI"/> Bhutan began to slowly assert an independent attitude in foreign affairs by joining the [[United Nations]] in 1971, recognizing [[Bangladesh]] and signing a new trade agreement in 1972 that provided an exemption from export duties for goods from Bhutan to third countries.<ref name="BI"/> Bhutan exerted its independent stance at the [[Non-Aligned Movement]] (NAM) summit conference in [[Havana]], [[Cuba]] also in 1979, by voting with China and some Southeast Asian countries rather than with India on the issue of allowing [[Cambodia]]'s [[Khmer Rouge]] to be seated at the conference.<ref name="BI"/> Unlike in Nepal, where its [[1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship|1950 treaty]] with India has been the subject of great political controversy and nationalist resentment because of Indian immigrants in Nepal, the nature of Bhutan's relationship with India has not been affected by concerns over the treaty provisions.<ref name="AT"/><ref name="TI">[http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020405/edit.htm#5 Tribune India] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420170339/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020405/edit.htm |date=2017-04-20 }}</ref> From 2003 to 2004, the [[Royal Bhutanese Army]] conducted operations against anti-India insurgents of the [[United Liberation Front of Assam]] (ULFA) that were operating bases in Bhutan and using its territory to carry out attacks on Indian soil.<ref name="IPCS">[http://www.ipcs.org/printSouthAsiaArticle.jsp?action=showView&kValue=2540&status=article&keyArticle= Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529080703/http://www.ipcs.org/printSouthAsiaArticle.jsp?action=showView&kValue=2540&status=article&keyArticle= |date=May 29, 2008 }}</ref>

==2007 treaty==
India re-negotiated the 1949 treaty with Bhutan and signed a new treaty of friendship in 2007. The new treaty replaced the provision requiring Bhutan to take India's guidance on foreign policy with broader sovereignty and not require Bhutan to obtain India's permission over arms imports.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mea.gov.in/Images/pdf/india-bhutan-treaty-07.pdf|title=INDIA-BHUTAN FRIENDSHIP TREATY|last=https://mea.gov.in/|date=2007-03-02|website=mea.gov.in |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509040714/http://mea.gov.in/Images/pdf/india-bhutan-treaty-07.pdf|archive-date=2016-05-09|url-status=live|access-date=2017-08-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://idsa.in/resources/documents/Ind-BhutanFriendshiptreaty.2007|title=India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty {{!}} Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses|website=idsa.in|access-date=2017-08-15|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815064738/http://idsa.in/resources/documents/Ind-BhutanFriendshiptreaty.2007|archive-date=2017-08-15}}</ref><ref name="AT"/> In 2008, India's then Prime Minister Dr. [[Manmohan Singh]] visited Bhutan and expressed strong support for Bhutan's move towards [[democracy]].<ref name="NS"/> India allows 16 entry and exit points for Bhutanese trade with other countries (the only exception being the [[People's Republic of China|PRC]]) and has agreed to develop and import a minimum of 10,000 megawatts of electricity from Bhutan by 2021.

== Support ==
In 2012–13 fiscal, India's budgetary support to the Kingdom country stood at US$600 million (around [[Indian Rupee|₹]]30 billion). It steadily rose over the years to reach US$985 million (₹61.60 billion) in 2015–16 making Bhutan the largest beneficiary of India's foreign aid.

[[List of Prime Ministers of Bhutan|Bhutan's Prime minister]], [[Tshering Tobgay]], requested an additional aid package from [[India]] worth INR 54 billion (US$819 million, as per the exchange rates at the time of signing the deal) for his nation during his visit to [[New Delhi]] in August 2013. Five-sixths of this amount (INR 45 billion) has been earmarked for Bhutan's 11th Five-Year plan. INR 4 billion was for the pending projects of the previous plan period. The remaining INR 5 billion was part of India's "Economic stimulus package" for Bhutan's slowing economy.

India operates three hydro power projects, of 1,416 MW in Bhutan and three more of 2,129 MW are under construction.<ref>{{cite web|title=Narendra Modi to address Bhutanese parliament in first foreign visit India and Bhutan have good relations|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/06/narendra-modi-to-address-bhutanese-parliament-in-first-foreign-visit/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140617170432/http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/06/narendra-modi-to-address-bhutanese-parliament-in-first-foreign-visit/|archive-date=17 June 2014|access-date=13 June 2014|work=IANS|publisher=news.biharprabha.com}}</ref> The third Prime Minister of [[Bhutan]] [[Lotay Tshering]] secured an aid package of about [[Bhutanese ngultrum|Nu]].45 billion (about $635 million) for the 12th five-year plan in his first overseas visit to India in November 2018. During this meeting the tariff rate for the Mangdechhu Hydropower Project plant was also brought under discussion where Lotay Tshering tried to raise the rate to Nu.4.27 but it ended more towards the Indian Government's negotiation price of Nu.4.1. The revised tariff rate for the plant was then settled at Nu.4.12. The government of [[Bhutan]] also received Nu.4Billion for trade facilitation and boosting economic linkages.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Palden|first1=Tshering|date=January 1, 2019|title=India-Bhutan relations strengthened: PM|work=Journalism|publisher=Kuensel|agency=Kuensel|url=http://www.kuenselonline.com/india-bhutan-relations-strengthened-pm/|access-date=12 February 2019}}</ref>

==Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2014 visit==

The present Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose Bhutan as his first foreign destination, placing regional co-operation before global co-operation. He had inaugurated the Supreme Court Complex in Bhutan and also promised help to Bhutan on the IT and digital sectors.<ref>{{cite news|title=In Bhutan Narendra Modi vows to nurture ties|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/in-bhutan-narendra-modi-vows-to-nurture-b2b-ties/article6116936.ece|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=10 August 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140620202440/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/in-bhutan-narendra-modi-vows-to-nurture-b2b-ties/article6116936.ece|archive-date=20 June 2014}}</ref>

Modi made his first foreign visit to Bhutan following an invitation by King [[Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck]] and Tobgay. The visit was called by the media as a "charm offensive" that would also seek to check Bhutan-China relations that had recently been formalized.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/india-s-modi-heads-to/1160430.html|title = India's Modi heads to Bhutan to woo neighbours|work = Channel NewsAsia|date = 4 June 2014|access-date = 15 June 2014|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140616040725/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/india-s-modi-heads-to/1160430.html|archive-date = 16 June 2014}}</ref> He also sought to build business ties,<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-arrives-to-a-grand-welcome-in-bhutan/article1-1229665.aspx|title = India, Bhutan to enhance economic ties as PM Modi pitches for 'B2B' links|work = [[Hindustan Times]]|access-date = 15 June 2014|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140615135000/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-arrives-to-a-grand-welcome-in-bhutan/article1-1229665.aspx|archive-date = 15 June 2014}}</ref> including a hydro-electric deal, and inaugurated the India-funded [[Supreme Court of Bhutan]] building.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/modi-inaugurates-bhutan-s-supreme-court-building-114061500581_1.html|title = Modi inaugurates Bhutan's Supreme Court building|work = [[Business Standard]]|access-date = 15 June 2014|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140619183513/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/modi-inaugurates-bhutan-s-supreme-court-building-114061500581_1.html|archive-date = 19 June 2014}}</ref> While talking about the visit, Modi said that Bhutan was a "natural choice" for his first foreign destination because of the "unique and special relationship" the two countries shared. He added that he was looking forward to nurture and further strengthen India's special relations with Bhutan. His entourage included Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Adviser [[Ajit Doval]] and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/bhutan-rolls-out-the-red-carpet-for-prime-minister-narendra-modi-541836|title = Bhutan Rolls Out the Red Carpet for Prime Minister Narendra Modi|publisher = [[NDTV]]|access-date = 15 June 2014|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140615150129/http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/bhutan-rolls-out-the-red-carpet-for-prime-minister-narendra-modi-541836|archive-date = 15 June 2014}}</ref> He was further set to discuss the [[insurgency in Northeast India]], and China.<ref>{{cite news|author = Rajeev Sharma|url = http://www.firstpost.com/world/ne-terror-china-whats-on-pm-modis-bhutan-trip-agenda-1571127.html|title = NE terror, China: What's on PM Modi's Bhutan trip agenda?|work = [[Firstpost]]|access-date = 15 June 2014|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140615113915/http://www.firstpost.com/world/ne-terror-china-whats-on-pm-modis-bhutan-trip-agenda-1571127.html|archive-date = 15 June 2014}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Commons}}
* [[Bhutan House]]
*[[South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation]] (SAARC)

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Foreign relations of Bhutan}}
{{Foreign relations of India}}
{{Portal bar|India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bhutan-India relations}}
[[Category:Bhutan–India relations| ]]
[[Category:Bilateral relations of Bhutan|India]]
[[Category:Bilateral relations of India]]