The Queen Mother of Bhutan, Her Majesty Gyalyum Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, called on President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday. She is in India to celebrate Bhutan Week— commemorating the golden jubilee of establishment of formal diplomatic ties between India and Bhutan and India—organised by the Bhutanese embassy.
The week-long festival will showcase the Himalayan nation's way of life and culture to the people of India.
President Kovind said the two countries shared an “exemplary bilateral partnership”. “Our relations are unique and special and our historical and cultural linkages make us natural friends and partners. India is happy to share its knowledge, experience and resources with Bhutan as per Bhutan’s priorities,” he added.
He further said India remains committed to consolidating the ongoing economic cooperation with Bhutan.
For the landlocked Himalayan kingdom, the partnership with India is arterial, literally. India has helped develop Bhutan economically and infrastructure-wise. The beautiful road snaking up from Phuentsholing to Thimphu, as well as most other highways, are built with the help of India's Border Roads Organisation. All of Bhutan's trade is through India.
However, the incident at Doklam last eye was a startler. India helps Bhutan guard its borders with China. As Chinese soldiers strayed into a disputed border with Bhutan, Indian soldiers protested. The stand-off lasted for weeks, as both China and India refused to blink. It took much diplomatic deftness to diffuse the situation without a single bullet being fired, but Bhutan found itself in an enviable position of being sandwiched between two big neighbours.
Ever since, India has been trying harder to woo Bhutan and keep it within its protectorate. The golden jubilee celebrations are the ideal time to re-emphasise these vital bonds.