India-Bhutan ties to grow under PM Modi's 3rd term: Bhutan PM Tobgay

Bhutan's Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, who is in Delhi for the oath taking ceremony of Narender Modi, has highlighted the robust ties between his country and India. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent, Sidhant Sibal, PM Tobgay emphasized the significance of India's 'Neighborhood First' policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership and noted the presence and invitation of many of India's neighboring countries at the oath taking ceremony.

"The fact that many of the neighbors of India are here and have been invited is evidence and confirmation of the continuing neighborhood first policy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," PM Tobgay remarked. "It also confirms that Bhutan, as a neighbor, matters to him and his government." Leaders of 7 countries, Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal were invited for the oath taking ceremony.

PM Tobgay expressed optimism about the future of Bhutan-India relations, projecting strengthening of bilateral ties during PM Modi's third tenure. "Even during the third tenure of Prime Minister Modi as prime minister of India, our relations, the relations between Bhutan and India, are going to grow from strength to strength," he asserted.

Here's the full interview:

WION: Participationat the oath taking ceremony, how do you see Bhutan being invited for the 3rd time?

Tshering Tobgay: Delighted to be here. Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji was very kind in inviting me here and I'm delighted to be here to represent my King and people to offer ourcongratulationsin person and to take part in the oath taking ceremony.The fact that many of the neighbors of India are here and have been invited is evidence and confirmation of the continuing neighborhood first policy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also confirmation that Bhutan as a neighbor matters to him and his government.

WION: We saw the Prime Minister Prime Minister Narendra Modi his last visit in the second term was to Bhutan. How do you use the this special relationship between the two countries

Tshering Tobgay: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first visit abroad during his first tenure as prime minister was to Bhutan. His last visit in his second tenure as prime minister was also to Bhutan. And, and therefore, this evidence that the relations between our two countries are not just strong but are growing. On Bhutan side, His Majesty the King has visited India several times and has contributed towards the strengthening of the ties between our two countries. So, the way I see it is,even during the third tenure of Prime Minister Modi as prime minister of India, our relations, the relations between Bhutan and India are going to grow from strength to strength.

WION: There are several pillars to this relationship; one has been connectivity. We recently saw the announcement. In fact, it happened last year on railway connectivity. If you can give the current situation as to where Railway connectivity has reached and other areas of connectivity, which we are looking at between India and Bhutan.

Tshering Tobgay: Our primary connectivity is road and most of the highways connecting India to Bhutan are good quality and have improved over the last five years. And then we have air connectivity to Bhutan, from India. And we are looking forward to connectivity not just to the existing international airport in Paro but also to the New International Airport in Gelephu, in what is being developed as a Gelephumindfulness city by His Majesty the King. The third form ofconnectivity is IT, data connectivity and we are well connected to India. And we are now on the final stages of finalizing a gateway through another part of India,the eastern part of India. The final connectivity was what you mentioned the rail connectivity and we are working with the Indian railway authorities to finalize this connectivity also. The government of India and Prime Minister Modi have kindly agreed to connecting Bhutan with the Indian rail network.

WION: You mentioned Gelephu. The big announcement on Gelephuis something that was closely watched here in India as well. What's the rationale behind this city? And where do you see India's role in supporting the development of the city?

Tshering Tobgay:Well, the Gelephumindfulness city is the vision of His Majesty the King, to take Bhutan forward, economically forward, and this is something that the vision of His Majesty is being very, very carefully implemented already.As far as India is concerned, the government at the highest level is rendering the fullest support to the realization of the vision of the Gelephu mindfulness city.And many businesses have expressed interest in investing in the development and operation in the city, once the city starts operations.

Watch interview here:

WION: There areseveral other elements of the relationship as well, in terms of capacity building , space.

Tshering Tobgay: Well in terms of capacity building, particularly human resource development, we many students come here and study. We have many civil servants and public servants training in India, to increase capacities in India. We've been enjoying a very close relationship in terms of developing Space Technology also within there.

WION: In terms of the BBIN, what's the progress like, what's the update like?

Tshering Tobgay:BBIN is an exciting project among Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal and India. We have to be mindful because Bhutan is the smallest country, we have barely seven lakh people and we are engaged with some of the densest, most densely populated areas in the world. So our people are very cautious, but overall BBINand overall BBIN is a very good concept and we look forward to engaging more actively in it. In terms of BBIN for transport, our people are a bit concerned.

WION: What are the concerns like?

Tshering Tobgay:The concern is simply because we are surrounded by very densely populated people, which require a lot of transport, whereas in Bhutan, we have very few people and very few vehicles. And as a result, our people have been concerned that we will be overwhelmed by our neighbors, which are Bangladesh, India and Nepal.

WION: Tourism is a mainstay of your economy. For Indian tourists and globally as well there is a certain amount that they need to give. Do you think that is seen as a trade barrier, as well for many Indian tourists as well traveling to your countries

Tshering Tobgay: It is not a trade barrier. It's theonly way, the only practical way we can implement our policy of high value, low volume.

WION:Let's speak about other neighbors as well since you are here in Delhi where other of your neighbors including Nepal and Bangladesh are also present. We saw the King visiting Bangladesh as well. How do you see the relationship progressing? Any other specific elements are we looking especially with Bangladesh, support to the Gelephu mindful project.

Tshering Tobgay:We enjoy very good relations with Bangladesh. And yes, they are very supportive of the mindfulness city project.With Nepal also we have very good relations.

WION: Let's go to the international aspect. How do you think that the conflicts the conflicts in Europe, the Russia, Ukraine conflict and in West Asia, the Gaza and Israel conflict impacts countries like Bhutan

Tshering Tobgay: Most of our trade is with India and given that these conflicts have not significantly impacted the situation in India andit has not impacted the situation in India because of India's leadership. As a result, we in Bhutan have not really been impacted.

WION: I believe naturally there will be a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister, what kind of conversation are you looking at?

Tshering Tobgay:Well, we've requested a bilateral meeting. And I will certainly congratulate Prime Minister Modi and the people of India, I would look forward to working closely with him in furthering the relationship between our two countries andwe may discuss a few other initiatives that are happening between the two countries.

WION: Climate change impacts countries like Bhutan. What is your sense, essentially, where the world is going on the climate change front?

Tshering Tobgay:You're going the wrong direction, and it is getting more and more dangerous.

WION: And can you explain the view of Bhutan, the happiness index is something that's my last question, that the world is really at odds. If you can explain to our viewers how you define happiness and growth together which is unique to Bhutan.

Tshering Tobgay: The world is not at odds with happiness. Everyone aspires for happiness. Of course how you define happiness is a different matter. In Bhutan, because of the enlightened leadership of our Kings, we've implemented a development philosophy , that we call cross national happiness, and simply put, it puts the happiness and well being of the people at the center of the development agenda.Gross National Happiness balances economic growth, which is important, undeniably important, but balancing that with environmental sustainability, social progress, cultural preservation and good governance.