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International
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International Journal of Political Science and Development Vol. 4(2), pp. 44–53, January, 2016. DOI: 10.14662/IJPSD2016.002 ISSN: 2360-784X
Research Paper
Changing Dynamics of Indo-Bhutan Relations: Implications for India
*Arif Hussain Malik*; Dr Nazir Ahmad Sheikh**
*Research Scholar, Department of Political Science, University of Kashmir, E mail: malikarifku@gmail.com **Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Kashmir, E mail: dr_nazir@ymail.com
Accepted 25 March 2016
The importance
of neighbours to the foreign policy perception of any state cannot be
over emphasized. For, often, it has to take into consideration the
foreign policy perceptions of other states and function within that
structure. The smaller states surrounding India, are important factors
in the preservation and development of its national interests. On the
other hand by virtue of their geographical proximity to India’s borders
they are strategically important to India’s security. In this context,
the importance of India’s friendly relations with them is further
highlighted because of India’s unfriendly relations with China and
Pakistan. On the other hand, their historic and economic links provide
common ties of interest which have formed the basis of friendly
relations. Although, often, and paradoxically, these very links have
proved to be source of friction –creating areas of tension. Moreover,
these smaller states have become the battleground between strategic
competitors because of their geostrategic location. Most of the above
mentioned concerns also applied to Bhutan. Bhutan is a tiny landlocked
country situated in a strategic location between two of the most
powerful Asian nations-China and India. The most important implication
of its location and the crucial factor influencing the formulation of
its foreign policy is that a friendly or dependent Bhutan is, for
strategic reasons, a necessity for both India and China. The evolving
geopolitical environment in Bhutan is one of the most ponderous and
crucial issues which needs immediate attention of the Indian
policymakers. This paper is an endeavour which will systematically
analyse the relationship between the two neighbours and highlight the
complexities and changes in the relationship between two countries since
1949 and its prospects in future. Cite This Article As: Malik AH, Sheikh NA (2016). Changing Dynamics of Indo-Bhutan Relations: Implications for India. Inter. J. Polit. Sci. Develop. 4(2): 44-53
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