Bhutan–India relations

Following the Chinese expedition to Tibet in 1910, Bhutan became a protected state and a part of British India, signing a treaty allowing British India to "guide" its foreign affairs and defence. Bhutan was one of the first to recognize India's independence in 1947. When India gained independence in 1947, Bhutan, like other princely states, also became independent. Bhutan first signed a Standstill Agreement to maintain the existing relations, and then the Treaty of Friendship in 1949, making it a protected state of independent India, much as it had been before Indian independence, thereby fostering close relations between the two. Their importance was augmented by the 1950 annexation of Tibet by the People's Republic of China and China's border claims on both Bhutan and India. India shares a border with Bhutan and is its largest trading partner, accounting for 98 percent of its exports and 90 percent of its imports. ==Military cooperation==

A 2,000 strong Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) is permanently based in western Bhutan to train the Royal Bhutan Army, while other units regularly cooperate with the Royal Bhutan Army. ==1949 treaty==

On 9 August 1949, Bhutan and India had signed the Treaty of Friendship, calling for peace between the two nations and non-interference in each other's internal affairs. However, Bhutan agreed to let India "guide" its foreign policy and both countries would consult each other closely on foreign and defence affairs. The treaty also established free trade and extradition protocols. The annexation of Tibet by Communist China brought both countries even closer. In 1958, the then-Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru visited Bhutan and reiterated India's support for Bhutan's independence and later declared in the Indian Parliament that any aggression against Bhutan would be seen as aggression against India. The period saw a major increase in India's economic, military and development aid to Bhutan, which had also embarked on a program of modernization to bolster its security. While India repeatedly reiterated its military support to Bhutan, the latter expressed concerns about India's ability to protect Bhutan against China while fighting a two-front war involving Pakistan. India and Bhutan completed a detailed demarcation of their mutual border in the period between 1973 and 1984. Border demarcation talks with India generally resolved disagreements except for several small sectors, including the middle zone between Sarpang and Geylegphug and the eastern frontier with the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. ==Indo-Bhutanese relations since 1972==

Although relations remained close and friendly, the Bhutanese government expressed a need to renegotiate parts of the treaty to enhance Bhutan's sovereignty. From 2003 to 2004, the Royal Bhutan Army conducted operations against anti-India insurgents of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) that were operating bases in Bhutan and using its territory to carry out attacks on Indian soil. == 2007 treaty ==

, shows Bhutan within India’s boundary as a part of India, though in a different colour due to its protected state status India re-negotiated the 1949 treaty with Bhutan and signed a new treaty of friendship in 2007. Although this did not come into full effect immediately and required some time to be fully implemented, until then the 1949 treaty remained in force for a further period. In 2008, India's then Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh visited Bhutan and expressed strong support for Bhutan's move towards democracy. == Support ==

In 2012–13 fiscal, India's budgetary support to the Kingdom country stood at US$600 million (around ₹30 billion). It steadily rose over the years to reach US$985 million (₹61.60 billion) in 2015–16 making Bhutan the largest beneficiary of India's foreign aid. Bhutan's Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay, requested an additional aid package from India worth ₹54 billion (US$819 million, as per the exchange rates at the time of signing the deal) for his nation during his visit to New Delhi in August 2013. Five-sixths of this amount (₹45 billion) has been earmarked for Bhutan's 11th Five-Year plan. ₹4 billion was for the pending projects of the previous plan period. The remaining ₹5 billion was part of India's "Economic stimulus package" for Bhutan's slowing economy. India operates three hydro power projects, of 1,416 MW in Bhutan and three more of 2,129 MW are under construction. The third Prime Minister of Bhutan Lotay Tshering secured an aid package of about Nu.45 billion (about $635 million) for the 12th five-year plan in his first overseas visit to India in November 2018. During this meeting the tariff rate for the Mangdechhu Hydropower Project plant was also brought under discussion where Lotay Tshering tried to raise the rate to Nu.4.27 but it ended more towards the Indian Government's negotiation price of Nu.4.1. The revised tariff rate for the plant was then settled at Nu.4.12. The government of Bhutan also received Nu.4 billion for trade facilitation and boosting economic linkages. ==In 21st century==

being conferred with the 'Order of the Dragon King' - Bhutan's highest civilian decoration by the King of Bhutan At the 2012 Rio+20 Summit, Bhutan announced that it would be the first country to switch its agricultural sector to organic production. This, and Bhutanese prime minister Jigme Thinley's contact with Chinese premier Wen Jiabo, alarmed India and led them to retaliate. India cut its subsidies on bottled natural gas exports to Bhutan, leading to shortages before Bhutan's upcoming elections. Thinley lost the subsequent election, marking the first change in power in the history of Bhutanese democracy. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose Bhutan as his first foreign destination. Modi inaugurated the Supreme Court Complex in Bhutan and also promised help to Bhutan on the IT and digital sectors. This visit followed an invitation by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Tobgay. The visit was called by the media as a "charm offensive" that would also seek to check Bhutan–China relations that had recently been formalized. He also sought to build business ties, including a hydro-electric deal, and inaugurated the India-funded Supreme Court of Bhutan building. While talking about the visit, Modi said that Bhutan was a "natural choice" for his first foreign destination because of the "unique and special relationship" the two countries shared. He added that he was looking forward to nurture and further strengthen India's special relations with Bhutan. His entourage included Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh. He was further set to discuss the insurgency in Northeast India, and China. In 2024, the King of Bhutan conferred Prime Minister Modi with the Order of the Dragon King, the highest decoration of Bhutan. It was the first such award to a non-Bhutanese. == Cultural relations ==

Sports Bhutan was introduced to kho kho, a traditional game of India, in 2019. Bhutan later competed in the inaugural 2025 Kho Kho World Cup in India. Place of Worship In 2025, Bhutanese style Buddhist temple called Royal Bhutan Buddhist Temple was constructed by the Bhutan government in Rajgir in Bihar. ==See also==