Bhutan Votes (2013) for the second time: Know Your Role & Importance of Voting

In order for a democracy to work, it is important that the people have knowledge about the definition of democracy and how it works. Thus it is highly important for a country to have a relevant educated population in order for the democratic system to work. This is important because uneducated people tend to lean towards radical ideologies as these ideologies might seem to have a sufficient solution to the problems of the society, however what people usually fail to see or even ignore is that these solution are based on suppression of other groups in society which usually doesn’t affect the majority.
Another important point in educating the people about the definition of democracy is that they usually tend to understand the word wrong. An example of that is that many people tend to regard democracy as a system where everything literally is allowed, this often leads to a complete chaos that devastates the order of the society rather than improving it and in that way, and it leads to the opposite effect of the aims of democracy.

The Role of the People

The key role of citizens in a democracy is to participate in public life.

Citizens have an obligation to become informed about public issues, to watch carefully how their political leaders and representatives use their powers, and to express their own opinions and interests.
Voting in elections is another important civic duty of all citizens.

But to vote wisely, each citizen should listen to the views of the different parties and candidates, and then make his or her own decision on whom to support.

Participation can also involve campaigning for a political party or candidate, standing as a candidate for political office, debating public issues, attending community meetings and common forums.

A vital form of participation comes through active membership in independent, non-governmental organizations, what we call “civil society.”

These organizations represent a variety of interests and beliefs: farmers, workers, doctors, teachers, business owners, religious believers, women, students, human rights activists.

Democracy depends on citizen participation in all these ways. But participation must be peaceful, respectful of the law, and tolerant of the different views of other groups and individuals.

For Democracy to work the people must be capable of making intelligent decisions. They must tell truth from falsehood.

“DEMOCRACY: Government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.”
The roll of the people is thus to elect leaders that represent their opinions and values. Those elected individuals will then represent those people to the government; proportionately to those who voted for them. Basically Power To The People. In proper democracies, the government is afraid of the people; rather than the people fearing and obeying the government.

Responsibility of Voting

There is no small issue in politics. That is why it is important for us to be empowered and take action in the best way possible, casting our vote and making our voice heard. It is our right, it is our duty, it is our responsibility. Many people use the term ‘democracy’ as shorthand for liberal democracy, which may include elements such as political pluralism; equality before the law; the right to petition elected officials for redress of grievances; due process; civil liberties; human rights; and elements of civil society outside the government.

As voters we have the right to demand from our elected officials to answer for their behavior.
The main importance of democracy is the participation of the people in naming their political representatives. It is empowerment for the people and taking action, become an active member of society. The power of voting is the power of change; it’s the power of making a mark in history and voicing your opinions.

Your Vote Matters

The right to vote is one of the fundamentals rights as enshrined in the constitution of kingdom of Bhutan that people should never take for granted and which they should always take advantage of. Many people do not understand just how important it is to cast a vote and how their vote can change the world they live in. Also most of the people are tired of all the fuss that is being made during the campaign and they are mostly tired of being ‘used’ when the politicians need them. And yet, even though voting may seem sometimes more like a burden and a responsibility than the chance to make a change, individuals must know that their vote can indeed make this change.

So why is it important to vote? Political campaigns are sometimes difficult to understand. Politicians will try to get your vote by empathizing with your situation or a similar one and aim to gain your trust and thus your vote. Therefore, voting is your only chance to make your voice heard.

ང་ཚོགས་རྒྱན་བཙུགས་པ་འགྱོ་དོ། ཁྱོད་འགྱོ་དོ་ག?

Nga Tsho Gyen Tsug Ba Jho Dho, Choe Jho Dho Ga???

Laya, a Jewel in the crown of Bhutanese culture: PM

“My heart is still in Laya.”

Lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley told the Bhutanese media dur­ing the 23rd Meet the Press which was held on November 8 at the Convention Centre here.

Returning from Laya recent­ly, the Prime Minister said that Laya is “a Jewel in the crown of the Bhutanese culture.”

And it was all smiles as he spoke about the beauty that Laya is. “They speak of Zhab­drung Ngawang Namgyal like he was there just a few days ago.”

Highlighting the importance that the people of Laya place on their culture, Lyonchhen narrated an anecdote.

“While going up, we met several Layaps coming down in gho and kira. When we were coming back, we again met Layaps returning home in ghos and kiras. But in Laya, we did not see a single person in ghos and kiras. They were all wear­ing their traditional dress.”

According to Lyonchhen, it was a reflection of the fact that they are modern and adapta­ble. “They greatly cherish their culture and tradition and they look so beautiful in their own attire that they only wear when they are in their own commu­nity.”

Calling the community alive and full of vitality, Lyonchhen said that the sense of “spiritu­ality” is embedded in the lives of the layaps.

Lyonchhen said the com­munity was all about living in symbiosis and in a “truly caring society.”

And this very element is an important part of Gross Na­tional Happiness (GNH), the PM added. He also said that “GNH is about balancing the needs of the mind and needs of the body.”

Talking of Layap women, PM shared that Laya is the only community in Bhutan where not a single women smokes or chews tobacco or betel nut. “They do not drink alcohol at all.” Lyonchhen informed that drinking and smoking are “ta­boos” and the society doesn’t tolerate this. “Laya is a very harmonious society and a hap­py society,” remarked the PM.

He further added that he met a woman who had three husbands and talked to two of them and found that they were getting along well. “She had the biggest shop in Laya,’ the PM said.

Underlining and reiterating the importance of culture, Ly­onchhen said that Bhutan is a popular tourist destination; not because of the geographical landscape but mainly because of the Bhutanese cultural land­scape.

Lyonchhen said that upon departure from Laya, he told the Layaps he has left his heart there. “Laya is a part of the country that we should all in unison help to cherish and sustain in terms of its culture.”

Source: The Bhutanese

Posted 11th November 2012

by Puran Gurung

DPT to win 2013 elections predict political soothsayers

Even as the battle lines are drawn with old and emerging political parties gearing up for the D-day, political pundits predict that the ruling party, Druk Phuensum Tshogpa, will sweep the polls, albeit with a reduced majority.

If what political analysts and commentators assume has even a fragment of truth in it, ruling party Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) is likely to trounce all contending parties in the upcoming elections, quite easily so, to form the next government.

Such a forecast, although a little wild conjecture at this time, is backed by evidences and popular perceptions, which analysts say will be crucial in swaying election results the DPT’s way.

Rural votes for development

By and large, the rural electorate is expected to remain loyal to DPT considering the massive development activities undertaken in village across the country. Three prominently visible infrastructure developemt-farm roads, rural electrification and mobile connectivity- cut across rural communities, among a host of others, says a political analyst.

“As I drove to my village last month, I noticed more farm roads have been built connecting even deeper and lower reaches of communities on mountain slopes. This is a significant development since my last visit a few months earlier. Farm roads with questionable quality were also being re-done,” said the analyst.

Farm roads, he said, will translate to farmer’s votes in 2013.

“ural communities have largely viewed democratic politics in terms of development infrastructure and services,” said the analyst, “whereas urban communities particularly those of middle and upper classes viewed it from perspectives of rule of law, democracy, constitutionality etc.”

Urban versus rural voters

In 2008 elections, it was said that urban electorate had a huge role in changing the course of Bhutan’s first democratic election, assuring a landslide victory to DPT. How much can the urban voters influence rural votes in 2013? Will this trend repeat in 2013 elections? Not exactly.

The make-up of Bhutanese electorate is largely rural, and therefore, the strength of DPT in rural villages cannot be undermined, said the political analyst. “It is argued that the middle and upper class largely civil servants played a pivotal role in influencing voting behavior of rural people in 2008,” he said. “After four and half years of experience with democracy, rural people cannot be taken for granted,”

He reasoned that while civil servants may be able to exercise certain influence through rural kith and kin but rural people can also be expected to exercise their own judgment on the voting machine.

This is expected to arise because of how these two groups of voters perceive and view democratic politics differently. “Rural voters look at it through a development perspective,” said the analyst, “urban people look at it through a different prism and believe that rule of law stays challenged.”

However the analyst said he does not suggest 100% peasant’s support to the ruling party or 100% resentment of middle and upper classes against the government.

He explained that the resentment of middle and upper class both in 2008 and 2013 remains the same, which is against a particular form of power and not against parties as such. “In 2008 they saw PDP as one expressing that form of power and thought DPT signaled change,” he said. “However in the last four years, they have come to see even DPT continuing that power and its institutionalized expression.”

More the new parties, merrier it’s for DPT

The new political parties, formed by largely urban middle and upper class, are concerned about registering with the election commission but so much enthusiastic about registering with rural folks, said the political analysts.

Upcoming political parties, he said, can win over middle and upper classes depending on their campaign manifesto and strategy. “The problem is that Bhutan’s 47 parliamentary constituencies are all rural,” he explained. “Whether it is Thimphu, Phuentsholing, Gelephu or Samdrup Jongkhar, these urban areas are not constituencies on their own. Instead these constituencies are part of a constituency that is very rural.”

The analyst said as part of rural constituencies, upper and middle classes residing in towns have to vote as members of their village as Gewogs. If these urban areas were constituencies of their own, he summarized, winning urban constituencies for upcoming parties is possible with support of middle and upper classes.

“The delimitation of urban constituencies was not possible in 2007-08 since the geographic and demographic size is too small and that most residents have their census registrations in rural areas,” the analyst explained.”

“Since the middle and upper classes will vote as part of their rural constituencies, their numerical strength in these constituencies will become diffused.”

In addition, people have heard of these parties through BBS interviews but they are non-existent in village communities. In absence of familiarization period before the campaign as in 2008, these political parties will have a tough challenge ahead, he said.

Another reason why DPT is likely to win, he said, was because the new parties will fragment voters groups.  “Three new parties compete against each other as much as they compete against DPT and PDP,” he said.

As these parties have their own reasons not to merge and present a united front, the political analyst said, more parties only bode well for DPT. “More the new parties, merrier it’s for old DPT”.

If all the four or even three upcoming parties qualify to register with ECB, the National Assembly elections will see two phases of elections-Primary round and general elections. In this situation, DPT and PDP royals will vote for them, he said, while other new parties will share other voters or those who shift loyalties from the ruling and opposition parties.

‘In any case, DPT will easily qualify for the general round. Whether it will be PDP of one of the new parties that will qualify for the general rounds to contest against DPT will depend on many factors,” he said. “The likelihood however is that DPT would form the next government although it may see a reduced majority.”

By Tashi Yangzom

The Journalist

It all depends on the way you look at things !

One day a father and his rich family took his son to a trip to the country with the firm purpose to show him how poor people can be. They spent a day and a night in the farm of a very poor family. When they got back from their trip the father asked his son, “How was the trip?” “Very good Dad!” “Did you see how poor people can be?” the father asked. “Yeah!” “And what did you learn?”
The son answered, “I saw that we have a dog at home, and they have four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of the garden, they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lamps in the garden, they have the stars.
Our patio reaches to the front yard, they have a whole horizon.”
When the little boy was finishing, his father was speechless.
His son added, “Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are!”
Isn’t it true that it all depends on the way you look at things? If you have love, friends, family, health, good humor and a positive attitude towards life you’ve got everything! You can’t buy any of these things, but still you can have all the material possessions you can imagine, provisions for the future, etc., but if you are poor of spirit, you have nothing!

If you can survive, you must remember that I love you !

This is a true story of Mother’s Sacrifice during the China Earthquake.
After the Earthquake had subsided, when the rescuers reached the ruins of a young woman’s house, they saw her dead body through the cracks. But her pose was somehow strange that she knelt on her knees like a person was worshiping; her body was leaning forward, and her two hands were supporting by an object. The collapsed house had crashed her back and her head.

With so many difficulties, the leader of the rescuer team put his hand through a narrow gap on the wall to reach the woman’s body. He was hoping that this woman could be still alive. However, the cold and stiff body told him that she had passed away for sure.

He and the rest of the team left this house and were going to search the next collapsed building. For some reasons, the team leader was driven by a compelling force to go back to the ruin house of the dead woman. Again, he knelt down and used his hand through the narrow cracks to search the little space under the dead body. Suddenly, he screamed with excitement,” A child! There is a child! “

The whole team worked together; carefully they removed the piles of ruined objects around the dead woman. There was a 3 months old little boy wrapped in a flowery blanket under his mother’s dead body. Obviously, the woman had made an ultimate sacrifice for saving her son. When her house was falling, she used her body to make a cover to protect her son. The little boy was still sleeping peacefully when the team leader picked him up.

The medical doctor came quickly to exam the little boy. After he opened the blanket, he saw a cell phone inside the blanket. There was a text message on the screen. It said,” If you can survive, you must remember that I love you.” This cell phone was passing around from one hand to another. Every body that read the message wept. ” If you can survive, you must remember that I love you.” Such is the mother’s love for her child!!

The Gross National Happiness In Bhutan

The Concept
Some countries in Asia and the Pacific have recognized the importance of an approach of development accounting for the progress in achieving the welfare of society. For the last three decades, the Kingdom of Bhutan has followed the guiding principle enunciated by His Majesty King Jigme Siongye Wangchuck, who stated, “Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product.” The principle describes development as a continuous process towards a balance between material and non-material needs of individuals and society. The country’s philosophy of development, while recognizing the importance of economic growth as essential, to support and nurture the spiritual and social needs of the community, is not an end in itself, but one among many means of achieving holistic development.

The theory of Gross National Happiness (GNH) established by His Majesty the King of Bhutan in 1972, is the foundation for development in Bhutan. GNH is based on the ideology that the pursuit of happiness is found in all people and is the strongest force of desires. Included in GNH is a “middle path” approach in which spiritual and material pursuits are balanced.

GNH is a program for social and economic revisions toward implementation and institutionalization of the belief that development should promote happiness as its primary value. Equal importance must be placed on socio-economic development, spiritual, cultural and emotional needs of the people. Economic growth is just one aspect that improves the social requirements of society and is not seen as the dominating force in development. GNH has become the philosophical foundation for the policy making process and implementation in Bhutan. This is apparent in the 9th and 10th Five Year Plans of Bhutan, in which GNH is the overarching structure.

The Four Pillars of Gross National Happiness

Gross National Happiness contains four main pillars:

• Sustainable and equitable socio-economic development
• Conservation of environment
• Preservation and promotion of culture
• Promotion of good governance

Sustainable and equitable socio-economic development does not prohibit economic growth and development, but is implemented by placing a priority on health and education sectors. It is estimated that over 30% of the national budget of Bhutan is placed on the social sector. This financial dedication is tangible evidence of the government’s commitment to provide a secure livelihood for its citizens and one in which its population is healthy and educated. Along these same terms, capacity building in the development of professional skills to manage development has been a common program implemented. Other important social development facilities are widely available throughout the country such as schools, hospitals and agricultural centers. Additionally, policymakers have introduced a personal income tax in order to redistribute wealth more evenly.

The Impact of Gross National Happiness

Largely because of GNH, Bhutan has seen improvement in many key development indicators, which include:

• Per capita income
• Life expectancy
• Infant and maternal mortality rates
• Health coverage
• School enrollment
• Literacy rates

Environmental conservation is also valued widely throughout Bhutanese society as many citizens’ sources of livelihood are dependent on their natural environment, especially those working agriculturally. It is commonly believed that irresponsible activities in nature will lead to negative and therefore unhappy outcomes. Most Bhutanese accept the fact that the environment should be preserved for others and the future generation, limiting severe environmental degradation. Environmental benefits observed by GNH policies include:
Characterization of the country as a biodiversity hotspot
Increased preservation policies
72% forest cover, 26% protected areas
Written policy that the country will keep a minimum of 60% forest cover

Bhutanese Preservation of Culture and Good Governance

The preservation and promotion of Bhutanese culture is another factor in development and GNH strategy, as Buddhist cultural pureness ideology is widespread. It is widely believed that a decline in traditional heritage and culture will lead to a general dissatisfaction of society and has therefore preservation of culture is a high government priority. This is observed in the school system as all children are taught Bhutanese cultural values.

Good governance is apparent through the government’s dedication of promoting happiness and well-being of its citizens foremost. His Majesty the King withdrew from the executive function of government in 1998 and universal voting rights were introduced in 2002. Civil society has had the opportunity to provide input in legislative matters and a goal is in place to have a multi-party system by 2008.

Approach of Bhutan’s Foreign Relations with two neighboring giants-India and China.

Introduction

Foreign relations refers to the ongoing management of relationships between a public policy administrative organization of a state and other entities external to its authority or influence. The primary goal of such organizations is therefore to create, develop and manage foreign policy and therefore describes relationships as seen from the self-interested perspective of the state when viewing the international milieu.

Therefore, to develop foreign relations, a foreign policy must be developed for each country which is an instrument to serve the national goals, interests and aspirations of a country. The Foreign Policy of a country is framed in a way so as to follow the changing contours of international politics, so as to preserve and promote the national interests. It has to be flexible enough to adjust itself to the changing dynamics of the global order. The domestic milieu of a country plays a significant role in shaping its foreign policy. To a great extend, foreign policy is a reflection of the domestic dimensions of a country, its needs and priorities and strength and weaknesses. Therefore, Foreign policy is shaped by certain objective conditions like geography, socio-economic conditions etc on one hand and the other changing dynamics of international policies on the other. A successful Foreign Policy requires a balance between these two dimensions. My paper here focuses mainly on the Bhutan’s relations with the two giant neighbors China and India.

Foreign Policy Goals

It is imperative for Bhutan to keep in mind its diplomatic history and the various influences on its foreign policy as this will help to provide a proper direction for its diplomacy in the years ahead. The direction it takes must help realize the vision of His Majesty the King to achieve peace, security and prosperity Gross National Happiness, and building a dynamic democracy. It must also realize that being a small country, Bhutan cannot afford to fail in any of its diplomatic endeavors.

The actions of the foreign ministry as well as other agencies of the government in the international arena must being perfect synchrony. Any variance or deviation can lead to failures that are inimical for the sovereignty and national security of the country.

The following are the primary and permanent goals of Bhutan’s foreign policy.

• To preserve and maintain national sovereignty and territorial integrity, including air space.
• To enhance and maintain national security.
• To contribute to the economic prosperity and social wellbeing of the people.
• To promote sustainable development through the expansion of trade and development of a dynamic economy.
• To contribute to national self reliance and Gross National Happiness.

The first three constitute the core of Bhutan’s foreign policy endeavors’ that take precedence over everything else as the primary objective of diplomacy is to ensure the survival of the nation as a sovereign independent state. In today’s world, sovereignty has no meaning if this is not accompanied by economic self reliance.  Therefore, economic prosperity and progress is vital to maintaining national sovereignty. The political and economic objectives should be pursued in tandem with each other.

The third Annual Ambassador’s Conference (4-13 July 2001) identified the following basic platforms, which are relevant even today, on which Bhutan’s true strength could be projected in order to realize its foreign policy goals:

• Strategic importance of Bhutan both in the traditional and modern sense, as a buffer state between two often polarized giant powers.
• Cultural uniqueness and culture fragility of Bhutan.
• Bhutan as an environmental wonder and her environmental wealth.
• Unique political and institutional arrangements of Bhutan.
• Development partnership.
• Philosophy of Development: Gross National Happiness.
• Social Skills of Bhutanese.
• Emphasize Bhutan’s role as a valued member of the international community.
• Appeal to the media.
• Bhutan as a good place for foreign direct investment.

For Foreign Ministry, which is the chief arm of the Royal Government of Bhutan for the implementation of Bhutan’s foreign policy, there are four overarching areas of the work that will be the focus and preoccupation of the Foreign Ministry and its Embassies and Missions. These areas are:

I.            Maintaining excellent relations with the immediate neighbors;

II.            Mobilization of different forms of resources for the country’s development ;

1. Addressing the issue of the people in the camps and its related issues; and
2. Ensuring effective RGoB participation in UN, regional and other international forums.

In addition to the above, there are other matters such as expansion of diplomatic relations and establishment of resident missions in Thimphu that also have to be examined.

Bilateral relations are an integral part of Bhutan’s diplomacy. Bhutan has established diplomatic relations with 21 countries and the European Union. Many of these relations were formalized in 1980s, at a time when Bhutan was expanding its engagement in international affairs and was fully on a path towards modern development.

Relations with India

Bhutan has done very well in managing its relations with India. The manner in which Bhutan has pursued and handled its relations with India is a success of Bhutan’s diplomacy. From a period of personal friendship between two leaders, relations have matured to form a long lasting friendship. Bhutan has worked hard in enhancing its relations with India and this has yielded significant results. The revision of Treaty of Friendship with India in 2007 is a clear reflection of the maturity of this friendship and the confidence that the two countries have in their relations.

As Bhutan moves ahead as a democracy and under a new treaty, it is in Bhutan’s national interest to continue to promote and build upon the strong relations with India. Further, geo-political realities dictate such a policy. However, promoting relations with India should not be at the cost of the national interest. It is important to strengthen the partnership in a manner that allows Bhutan to grow politically and economically. As democracies, the commitment and the direction for further enhancing relations with India needs to come from the politicians and the political parties. As such, it will be important for the political parties of the two countries to build good understanding and close association. Bhutan should encourage and facilitate the interaction of political parties form Bhutan and the prominent political parties in India as early as possible. A good way to start would be to begin with exchange of visits. Bhutan could have key members of the political parties of Bhutan visit India to meet their counterparts from the different political parties in India. The visit could be reciprocated with a visited to Bhutan by the members of the political parties in India. The political parties from the two countries could then work towards having an annual exchange of visits, leading up to an Annual conference, alternating   Bhutan and India. The objective of such interaction would be to foster close cooperation, good will and understanding between the political parties of the two countries, which will have a positive effect on the overall relationship between the two countries.

Bhutan will also need to cultivate and follow closely the rise and young and upcoming politicians of India, such as Rahul Gandhi, Saching Pilot, Omar Abdullah etc. Cultivating them can help to strengthen future relations.

There is a need to institutionalize the good relations between the two countries, starting from the highest level. Bhutan needs to establish a formal arrangement where political dialogue and discussion can take place at the highest level. For instance, a Summit Level Meeting at the Prime Ministerial levels could provide both sides to take stoke of the state of relations as well as provide the political commitment and direction to further enhance relations. The Summit could have different themes.

Formalize an arrangement for exchange of visits by the head of states every two years. Such visits at the highest level will enhance bilateral relations and greatly add impetus to strengthening Bhutan’s sovereignty and image in India.

Formalize arrangement for official bilateral meetings at the Foreign Minister and Foreign Secretary level annually. These talks could then build up to the Summit Level Meeting between the two Prime Ministers.

Work out a structured exchange of visits at the cabinet level. This should be pursued and encouraged vigorously. Encourage State visits such as the Tourism Minister, Power Minister and other relevant Ministers visit Bhutan regularly to facilitate cooperation in their respective areas.

The Annual Home Secretary level talks on Security Matters every year are a good forum to discuss security related issues. This is the kind of formal arrangement that Bhutan should have in all areas. The same could be replicated between the Trade and Commerce Ministries of the two countries. It would help resolve trade disputes.

Establishing a Consulate in Kolkata with a senior official as the Council General with the mandate to promote political, economic and trade relations with the Govt. of West Bengal is a very good initiative of Bhutan. Local Governors should keep in regular contact with their counterparts from the neighboring cities like Siliguri and New Jalpaiguri.

A Consulate should be opened up in Guwahati with the mandate to promote political and economic relations with the Government of the State of Assam.

Government of India (GOI) has been the largest donor of Bhutan since the inception of its planned development process.  However, India’s share of contribution to Bhutan’s planned development process has been decreasing over the years mainly due to diversification of Bhutan’s external assistance. Today, GOI’s assistance accounts for about 50% of the total external assistance that Bhutan receives. In the 9th Plan India’s assistance amounted to Rs.17, 274.570 million and for the 10th Plan, India has committed Rs.28 million.

While maintaining India as a major donor for Bhutan, following could be explored to diversify sources of assistance for Bhutan’s socio-economic development:

• Funding of large projects by major industrialists in India
• Private-public partnership in infrastructure development

Organizing a CEO Roundtable Meeting between RGOB and the Indian Private Companies to discuss ways to expand economic ties, promote public-private partnership, and steps to promote investment and greater trade could perhaps be useful.

Pursue two pronged approach to development of the power projects: one with the GOI as per existing model and two, with the Indian Private companies and identify few private companies, such as Tata, Reliance, Jaypee to enter into partnerships to start joint ventures in consultation with the Department of Energy.

On the Promotion of trade, Bhutan should formalize on an annual basis, policy consultation at the secretary level to discuss bilateral trade issues as well as WTO matters and institutionalize linkage between the BCCI and the Business Chambers in India as well as linkages with the business chambers of West Bengal and Assam.

FDI policy to be made more favorable to India by organize a CEO Roundtable Meeting between RGOB and the Indian Private companies to discuss ways to expand economies ties, promote public-private partnership, and steps to promote investment and greater trade also by inviting leaders of Private Indian companies to Bhutan to study the prospects of investing in Bhutan.

India has world-renowned engineering, management, medical and computer institutes. Collaborative Programmes with Indian institutions would also be highly cost effective. Further, the technology and facilities available in India are most relevant for Bhutan. Most Indian institutes of Technology (IITs) have signed MoUs for Collaborative programmes with other renowned foreign universities, research institutes and industrial organizations throughout the world. This programme includes students and faculty exchange, joint research and fellowships for training at doctoral and postdoctoral level. Bhutan’s engineering institutes could collaborate with few IITs to have access to their faculty, train our faculty, design relevant academic programmes and in future, undertake joint research. Similarly, we could conclude MoUs with a few Indian Institutes of Management and even good medical colleges. Funding for such ventures could be explored with GOI.

Relations with China

The manner in which Bhutan has been able to conduct its relations with China and India in a most effective manner is yet another success of Bhutan’s diplomacy. Bhutan has never played one against the other and instead worked towards cultivating the best of relations with both countries within the confines of geo-political realities. The manner in which Bhutan has balanced its relations with India and China is certainly a success of Bhutan’s diplomacy and has only laid the foundation for relations to grow in future.

Relations with China is today marked by tremendous goodwill and understanding despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations. The two countries have been engaged in bilateral talks regarding the demarcation of the Sino-Bhutan boundary since 1984. Till date 18 rounds of talks have been held alternately in the two capitals, Beijing and Thimphu, with the last one being held in Beijing from 16-17 August 2006. Pending the final settlement of the boundary question, the two governments continue to abide by the 1988 Guiding Principle signed during the 5th Round of Talks and the 1998 Agreement on the Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility along the Bhutan-China Border Areas signed during the 12th Round of Talks. The signing of these Agreements is considered very significant in relations between Bhutan and China as they are the first bilateral agreements between the two countries. The Annual boundary talks have provided an excellent opportunity for consultation between two countries on all areas of mutual concern of a national, bilateral, regional and global nature.

There exists excellent cooperation at the UN and international fora. Bhutan has consistently supported China’s position on the resolutions relating to the human rights situation in China. China has reciprocated by supporting Bhutan at the Sub Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. In May 2001, Bhutan made a statement in support of China’s position to block Taiwan’s bid for observer status in WHO. Likewise during the 56th UNGA, the Bhutanese delegation made a similar intervention in support of one China policy, when the issue of Taiwan was discussed in the general committee. The Chinese government has greatly appreciated Bhutan’s support at the UN and other international fora.

China has also demonstrated its sensitivity towards Bhutan’s concerns by refusing a Japanese mountaineering expedition, Marco Polo Japan Inc. , permission to climb Mount Gangkar Phuensum from the Chinese side in April/May 1999, following a request made by the RGOB.

RGOB has appointed Dr. Cheng Yu-Tung to serve as Honorary Consul of Bhutan in Macao and Hong Kong.

The settlement of the boundary dispute with China is one of prime objective and goal of Bhutan’s foreign policy. RGOB should make all efforts to resolve the boundary dispute through the boundary talks as soon as possible. One of the main preconditions for resolving the boundary dispute settlements, China has settled these disputes with other countries only at a time when relations were good. Chinese cannot fathom resolving the boundary dispute with Bhutan in the absence of formal relations. It is not in keeping their culture. From that perspective, the RGOB may have to consider formalizing relations with China. Going by past trends, it may not be possible to settle the boundary dispute without fulfilling this precondition. It would be in the interest of Bhutan to settle the boundary disputes now for a stronger China in future may negotiate from a position of strength.

Bhutan and China have cooperated well at the UN and other multilateral fora. Bhutan has been very realistic in supporting China in the UN and multilateral fora on issues that are close to their heart. Chinese have greatly appreciated this gesture on our part, which has contributed to the tremendous goodwill that is prevalent between the two countries today. RGOB should continue China on these issues as this will help maintain the cordial relations that have been built so far.

Despite absence of diplomatic relations, Bhutan and China has had very good relations. The policy on development of political relations should be to further build on this good relation. Bhutan must, however, not appear too overzealous and the strengthening of relations should be done in a gradual and cautious manner in tandem with the growing of relations between India and China. As felt by certain quarters in India, both India and Bhutan could closely consult with each other to craft a relationship with China that does not affect relations between them. It is felt that this could lead to the development of good relations between the three countries that is sensitive to each others’ concern and mutually beneficial to all. There is also a need to develop expertise on China in the Ministry. Bhutan’s understanding on China is from secondary sources, so there is a need to train officers who would have a firsthand understanding of China and in the long run, it would help build capacity within Ministry on China.

China has been able to cultivate good relations with all countries in South Asia, both politically and economically. Its economic influence is visible in all South Asian countries as China provides consistent economic aid to some of them.

China likes to provide its assistance on a turnkey basis and has strings attached. China like to implement its assistance through it s companies most of which are state-owned or controlled and stresses on the use of Chinese laborers. For instance in Bangladesh, China brought in seven hundred laborers from China to work on a coal mine started with Chinese aid even though Bangladesh had enough laborers. One of the main objectives of Chinese companies working abroad is to explore different avenues and opportunities for Chinese companies to invest. Therefore, Bhutan needs to be very cautious in terms of furthering economic relations. There is a quiet but visible development taking place in the private sector with regard to China. With many Bhutanese visiting China for business, there is increasing interaction between Chinese and Bhutanese business. Chinese products are available everywhere in Bhutan. Recently, private companies, such as Tashi have tied-up with a Chinese company for their mobile services. Interactions between business people will inevitably increase in future. While RGOB should be cautious in terms of receiving assistance from China interactions such as this, which benefit the business people of Bhutan, should be encouraged.

Conclusion

The foreign policy issues are significant for small and under developed countries like Bhutan which are faced with the challenges of preserving and promoting national identity and securing and seeking support to its process of development. Bhutan’s economic structure is fragile and weak and has very limited resources. Water and forests constitute the major resource base. In today’s world system it is not possible for any country to keep itself isolate from the outer world. Despite Bhutan’s historical, geographical and socio-cultural limitations, it has to allow exposure of the country to the outer world.

Bhutan has defined its development goals in terms of maximizing people’s happiness. Yet it, being a resource scarce country, need external co-operation. The challenge to Bhutanese foreign policy is that it cannot allow unrestrained and unlimited co-operation and similarly the issue of preservation of cultural identity is important. This calls for the regularization of foreign policy in a way that the external influences do not affect its traditional cultural fabric. Bhutan cannot bear the burden of being ambitious on foreign policy issues.