Bhutan's King visit to India-A clear message to China
In a recent development in the bilateral relations between India and Bhutan, Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck arrived in India on November 3 and in New Delhi on November 5 Sunday.
Bhutan's King visit to boost Bilateral relations
The Bhutanese King is on an eight-day state visit to India from November 3 to November 10, which will definitely bring the two nations closer to each other.
The King was given a red carpet welcome by India as the Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar formally received the King upon his arrival in New Delhi on November 5.
EAM welcoming Bhutan's King
The King is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an official meeting.
The Ministry of External Affairs on November 2 in an official statement stated that the visit by Bhutan's King will provide an opportunity to both the nations to review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and cooperation and to further advance it.
India and Bhutan share not just borders but also cultural, and religious practices, and many more things. India and Bhutan have enjoyed close friendship throughout history with brief patches of sourness.
Dr. S. Jaishankar meets the King of Bhutan
On Sunday, the External Affairs Minister met with the King of Bhutan after formally welcoming him upon his arrival. The Minister took to X to say that he was pleased to meet the King. Jaishankar further stated that "India supports the vision of the sustainable transformation of Bhutan under His Majesty's guidance".
Privilege to call on His Majesty, the King of Bhutan shortly after his arrival in New Delhi.
Pleased to hear about the experience of his first visit to Assam.
India supports the vision of sustainable transformation of Bhutan under His Majesty’s guidance. pic.twitter.com/CyCsIwj9N9
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) November 5, 2023
His Majesty's visit to Assam
The eight-day visit by Bhutan's King started from Assam where he spent two days in several meetings and events.
The Chief Minister of Assam Hemant Biswa Sarma officially welcomed his majesty in Assam on November 3 and expressed his pleasure by posting about the visit on X.
The CM also exchanged dialogues with scholars who also visited India and said that the exchange of scholars is a cornerstone of friendship between the two nations. He further said "Assam's doors are perpetually open to Bhutanese students. It was a pleasure to engage with them today."
The CM also held talks with the King and observed that this visit is a testament to the ancient bonding between the two countries exemplified by academic linkages, infrastructure partnership, cooperation in healthcare, and shared spiritual heritage and people-to-people ties.
The King later attended a cultural program organised in his honor which was also attended by the Governor of Assam, Cabinet Ministers, and various other dignitaries.
The King is also scheduled to visit Maharashtra later.
A mesmerising Thiya Naam, worshipping Lord Krishna, was performed to honour His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan, yesterday.
The striking similarities in cultural ethos of both the countries bind us together. pic.twitter.com/sbyGz2EmVG
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) November 4, 2023
China-Bhutan-India
The Foreign Minister of Bhutan, Tandi Dorji, visited China last month causing a slight concern to India.
On the visit by Bhutan, China claimed that China respects the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of all countries be it small or large, and also places prominence on neighbouring diplomacy. While China surely places importance on neighbors, respecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty of other nations is not perfectly reflected in its actions considering the Doklam border conflict and the Galwan border conflict of the recent past.
Tandi Dorji met the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi who said that both nations enjoy profound traditional friendship. China was on its tip-toes to enhance its relations with Bhutan as soon as possible, but only when Bhutan was ready to meet China halfway.
Both the nations signed Three-Step Roadmap in 2021, as a Memorandum of Understanding between the two, and the latest 13th expert group Meeting between the two was held in Beijing in August. These steps are focused on solving boundary issues between the two counties.
While India paid close attention to this visit by Bhutan to China, it was simultaneously secure about its relations with Bhutan.
This long visit by the Bhutanese King serves as an example that India and Bhutan continue to place trust in their historical friendship with each other.
This also gives a clear message to China that while Bhutan may be willing to solve the border issue and improve its relations with China, Bhutan will continue to maintain a close friendship with India and will not be standing against it.
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