As the leader of the world’s largest and most vibrant democracy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently followed a foreign policy that has not only strengthened India’s relations with the most powerful countries across continents but also ensured that it enjoys friendly ties with its neighbours. Even in the case of Pakistan, which never ceases to indulge in provocative behaviour, Modi government has tried its best to avoid conflicts as far as possible while making it clear that India will not tolerate any act that threatens its territorial integrity or compromises its sovereign status in any manner.
One of the salient features of the Prime Minister’s foreign policy has been his extremely helping and generous attitude towards India’s immediate neighbours like Bhutan. Notwithstanding its small geographical area, India has always valued its relations with Bhutan which has been equally warm towards its more powerful neighbour. The proof of the relations between the two countries becoming stronger during the present NDA regime is that Bhutan recently conferred its highest civilian decoration ‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo’ on Prime Minister Modi on the occasion of its National Day.
Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering expressed his joy over the development which is bound to make the bond between the two countries firmer. Both the people and the rulers of Bhutan have been grateful to Modi for his unconditional friendship and support to their country, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is pertinent to mention that diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan were established in 1968 after a special office of India was set up in Thimphu. The basic framework of Indo-Bhutan relations is the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, signed in 1949 between the two countries, and revised in February 2007. The Golden Jubilee of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan was celebrated in the year 2018.
India and Bhutan share a unique and time-tested bilateral relationship, characterized by complete trust, goodwill and mutual understanding. This relationship has been sustained by regular high-level visits and dialogues between the two countries.
The Government of India has consistently supported the socio-economic development of Bhutan. Hydropower cooperation between the two countries is an example of this. India, in fact, has been extending economic assistance to Bhutan’s socio-economic development since the early 1960s when Bhutan launched its Five Year Plans. India continues to be its principal development partner.
Mutually beneficial hydropower cooperation with Bhutan forms the core of bilateral economic cooperation between the two countries. For Bhutan, hydropower development continues to be a vital catalyst for socioeconomic development.
Driven by the world vision of Prime Minister Modi, India has been equally willing to help other friendly neighbours. A firm believer in the maxim of “a friend in need is a friend indeed”, Modi has earned the respect of not only the neighbouring countries but also the world at large.
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