Indo- Bhutan Relations from Developmental Cooperation to Strategic Partnership

Abstract

Bhutan is a protected state but not a protectorate of India because of the historically close ties between the two countries and their shared commitment to "developmental cooperation." India and Bhutan's cooperative and peaceful partnership is an exceptional example of a South Asian bilateral relationship. They have been able to maintain a relationship that is both emotionally stable and functional throughout the years. With India's help, Bhutan has been able to forge its own route to economic development, one that prioritizes citizens' happiness rather than GDP. In recent years, Bhutan's economy has expanded significantly. It is impossible to overstate the significance of a country's neighbours in shaping public opinion on its foreign policy. Because it frequently needs to account for and work within the framework established by the foreign policy perceptions of other governments, Indian national interests are greatly aided  by the stability and growth of the smaller states in its vicinity. But their proximity to India's borders makes them strategically significant to India's defence. Given India's tense relationships with China and Pakistan, the significance of India's cordial connections with them is accentuated. However, the historical and economic linkages between the two countries create common ties of interest that have served as the foundation for cordial relations. But curiously, it is precisely these connections that have often proven to be a source of conflict. The geostrategic position of these smaller governments has also made them the battleground for strategic competitors. The majority of these issues were also problems in Bhutan. The tiny landlocked kingdom of Bhutan sits between two of Asia's most formidable powers: China and India. For vital reasons, India and China require a cordial or friendly Bhutan. This is the primary influence on the formulation of its foreign policy and the most significant consequence of its location. The shifting geopolitical climate in Bhutan is one of the most significant issues that policymakers in India must address right away. This study aims to thoroughly examine the two nations' developmental cooperation and strategic partnership, illuminating the intricacies and changes in their relationship and their future prospects in the process.