Bhutan and India enjoy a time-tested relationship "based on trust, goodwill, and mutual understanding." The newly elected Bhutanese Prime Minister - Tshering Tobgay's maiden foreign visit to India this month and the proposed visit of Prime Minister Modi to Bhutan underscores these "exemplary ties of friendship and cooperation." However, Bhutan, a tiny landlocked nation between India and China, is at a crossroads. It is attempting to end its border disputes with its assertive and aggressive northern neighbour - China while being sensitive to Indian security interests and concerns. At home, the country is confronting an economic crisis while its working population is migrating elsewhere. With multiple crises at the forefront, there is an increasing call within Bhutan to promote domestic reforms and end the border dispute with China while diversifying its economy, bilateral ties, and development partnerships.

How is the newly elected government trying to overcome these challenges? What economic, political, and policy reforms is the government promoting? How will these challenges impact Bhutan's development partnerships and strategic and foreign policy choices? What progress has Bhutan and China made in their border negotiations? Where do we see Bhutan's relations with its neighbours- India and China, especially in the coming years?

About Event:

This event is part of the series “The Neighbourhood Scope,” a monthly feature of the Strategic Studies Programme that intends to rekindle key conversations, questions, and debates concerning India’s neighbourhood.

Speakers:

Chencho Dema, Senior Journalist, Kuensel, Bhutan

Passang Dorji, Researcher, Former Member of Parliament, Bhutan

Medha Bisht, Associate Professor, South Asian University, India

Aditya Gowdara Shivamurthy, Associate Fellow, Observer Research Foundation, India

Moderator:

Sushant Sareen, Senior Fellow, Observer Research Foundation, India