Rewriting history, India to unshackle Bhutan

India has agreed to undertake permanent changes in the 1949 Indo-Bhutan treaty to allow the Bhutan Government a more independent say in its foreign policy. It’s learnt that the language in Article 2 of the treaty which asks Bhutan to be “guided by the advice of Government of India in regard to its external relations,” will be replaced by “language of friendly cooperation” that, in effect, will give a free hand to Thimpu in international affairs as long as it does not act against Indian interests.

Another crucial provision that is to undergo change will be Article 6 which allows Bhutan to import “arms, ammunition, machines, warlike material or stores” for its “strength” and “welfare” but with India’s “assistance and approval”. While the exact formulation it still to be finalised, sources said, the idea of prior Indian approval for every military purchase will be relaxed. More likely, Bhutan will not require any such approval in purchase of non-lethal military stores and equipment. There will be influence in the form of assistance in making all military purchases, but sources said this will be reflected in the revised treaty more in the form of advice than control.

According to the MEA spokesperson, these changes “reflect the contemporary nature of our relationship” and aims at strengthening the relationship in a “manner that is responsive to and serves each other’s national interests through close cooperation”.

Besides this, he said, the revision will involve broadening the scope of economic relations, particularly enabling “further intensification” of relations in hydel power cooperation, trade and commerce.

It’s learnt that similar changes are also in the pipeline in case of the 1950 India-Nepal treaty. Sources said with both Bhutan and Nepal moving steadily towards democracy, changes have to be brought keeping in view the new Constitutional structures each seeks to set in place.

But it may be noted that in case of Nepal, one of key demands of the Maoists has been the abrogation of the 1950 treaty.

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