UPSC EDITORIAL ANALYSIS : Ties that epitomize India’s neighborhood first policy

Source: The Hindu

• Prelims: Current events of international importance(India-Bhutan ties, Petroleum Agreement, Doklam region, Gelephu etc

• Mains GS Paper II: Bilateral, regional and global grouping involving India, Significance of Indo-Pacific for India etc

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

• The Prime Minister will visit Bhutan, announced the visiting Bhutanese Prime Minister after the two leaders met in Delhi.

INSIGHTS ON THE ISSUE

Context

India-Bhutan Relations:

#### Key Highlights of the India-Bhutan Bilateral Talks:

#### Petroleum Agreement:

#### ● Signed an agreement on the supply of petroleum products to ensure a reliable and sustained supply from India to Bhutan, fostering economic cooperation and growth in the hydrocarbon sector.

#### ● Food Safety Collaboration:

#### ○ Bhutan’s Food and Drug Authority and India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI)signed an agreement to enhance cooperation in food safety measures.

#### ■ It will ensure compliance with food safety standards and reduce compliance costs.

#### ● Energy Efficiency and Conservation:

#### ○ Both countries signed an MoU on energy efficiency and conservation that demonstrates a commitment to sustainable development.

#### ● India aims to assist Bhutan in enhancing energy efficiency in households, promoting the use of energy-efficient appliances, and developing standards and labeling schemes.

#### ● Border Dispute Resolution:

#### ○ The Bhutanese Prime Minister’s visit coincides with ongoing discussions between China and Bhutan to resolve their border dispute, which has implications for regional security, particularly in the Doklam region.

#### ○ In August 2023, China and Bhutan agreed on a plan to address their border disagreement.

#### ○ This was followed by the formal signing of the agreement in October 2021.

#### ■ This agreement came four years after a conflict between India and China in Doklam, sparked by China’s attempt to construct a road in the area in 2017.

#### Bhutan’s Regional Economic Hub in Gelephu:

#### ● Bhutan’s plans for a regional economic hub in Gelephu, mark a significant step towards regional development and connectivity.

#### ● The project, initiated by Bhutan’s King(2023): aims to establish the Gelephu Mindfulness City” (GMC) spanning 1,000 square kms.

#### ● Gelephu will prioritize sustainable development, focusing on non-polluting industries such as IT, education, hospitality, and healthcare.

#### ● It is Positioned at the crossroads of India’s “Act East” policy and the emerging connectivity initiatives spanning Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region.

#### ● Gelephu holds strategic significance in fostering economic integration and trade facilitation.

• Gelephu city is expected to focus on human well-being too with an emphasis on yoga, rest and recreation, spa therapies and mental relaxation channels.

Hydropower cooperation:

● Hydropower cooperation is the bedrock of India’s relations with Bhutan.

● Several cooperative hydro projects have been completed and commissioned by the two governments

○ It provides Bhutan with a stream of revenue due to which it has graduated out of the Least Developed Country status.

● The delayed Punatsangchhu-II hydropower project is expected to be completed in 2024

● A new joint venture model was developed for the construction of hydro projects between India and Bhutan

○ none of the proposed five projects has taken off.

○ There is a need to go back to the drawing board to work out a more practical and potentially successful new model for hydro projects.

Other areas of cooperation:

• India has also been a major development assistance partner to Bhutan India contributed ₹5,000 crore to its 12th Five Year Plan which just concluded.

• India contributed ₹5,000 crore to its 12th Five Year Plan which just concluded.

Way Forward

• India must contribute to the success of the Gelephu Mindfulness City and can perhaps consider the following measures: commence direct flights between Mumbai/Delhi and Gelephu provide technology and knowledge in building hard infrastructure to Bhutan (the private sector will take the lead) encourage high-end Indian tourists and businesspersons to visit Gelephu in controlled numbers Encourage Indian businesses to set up shop in the city.

• commence direct flights between Mumbai/Delhi and Gelephu

• provide technology and knowledge in building hard infrastructure to Bhutan (the private sector will take the lead)

• encourage high-end Indian tourists and businesspersons to visit Gelephu in controlled numbers

• Encourage Indian businesses to set up shop in the city.

• Gelephu is next to remote parts of West Bengal and Assam and the success of the Mindfulness City will have positive socio-economic spillovers for these geographies as well. It will provide an example of the win-win cooperation between India and Bhutan.

• It will provide an example of the win-win cooperation between India and Bhutan.

QUESTION FOR PRACTICE

Project ‘Mausam’ is considered a unique foreign policy initiative of the Indian Government to improve relationships with its neighbors. Does the project have a strategic dimension? Discuss. (UPSC 2015) (200 WORDS, 10 MARKS)

Editorial Analysis – 20 March 2024