India and Her Himalayan Neighbours: Analysis of India’s Bilateral Relations with Nepal and Bhutan

The departure of the British from the Indian subcontinent in 1947 called for a renegotiation of the treaties that both Nepal and Bhutan had with the British government. This process was further hastened by the sudden Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1949. After India achieved independence, the India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty was ratified in 1949 which laid the foundation for relationship between both the countries. The treaty is special as both countries decided to have an open border with citizens of both nations possessing the right to travel into each other’s territories without a visa. Similarly, the India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship, ratified in 1950 formed the bedrock of a special relationship between India and Nepal. India and Nepal share a unique relationship whereby both countries allow its citizens to settle, work and own property in each other’s territories. The 1950 treaty also states that the government of both countries should inform each other if there is a friction or misunderstanding with any neighbouring state. King Mahendra of Nepal’s decision to dissolve the elected parliament and ban all political parties in 1960 didn’t go well with India as it has always promoted democracy in its neighbourhood. Further, the proposal of King Birendra in 1975 to establish Nepal as a ‘Zone of Peace’ was opposed by India as it went against the pre-existing agreements. Democracy was restored in Nepal in 1990 with India playing a significant role. The Post-1990 period saw a number of political parties accusing India of meddling into Nepal’s internal affairs. There has been a renewed interest in India’ relationship with Nepal and Bhutan after Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014. Modi while unveiling his ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy chose Bhutan as the country of his first official visit. This was followed by a visit to Nepal where he was heartily welcomed. Relations took a dramatic turn after Nepal unveiled its new constitution in 2015. India requested the Nepal government to address the concerns of the Madhesis, the dwellers of southern Nepal. As Madheshi protestors blocked the highways, Nepal ran out of essential supplies like medicine and petrol. Prime Minister K.P. Oli signed a number of agreements with China thereby stating that in future Nepal will not totally rely on India. The growing Chinese influence in both Nepal and Bhutan has been a concern for India. China has invested heavily in infrastructure projects such as airports, hydroelectric dams and roadways. Nepal’s decision to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative in 2017 was resented by India. The presence of Chinese troops in the Doklam Plateau in Bhutan led to crisis which could have snowballed into a war. The emergence of the Covid 19 pandemic provided an opportunity for India to strengthen its relationship with Nepal and Bhutan. Under the vaccine Maitri initiative, Indian government provided vaccine doses to both the countries. India also played an important role when Nepal was struck by an earthquake in 2015. In the midst of the pandemic, India–Nepal relationship got further strained over a border dispute in western Nepal. The return of Sher Bahadur Deuba as Prime Minister of Nepal has brought renewed hopes for better India–Nepal relationship. India–Bhutan relationships have scaled new heights under the leadership of Narendra Modi. India considers Nepal and Bhutan as an essential part of its security perimeter. This dimension has played the most important part in shaping India’s relations with its Himalayan neighbours in the seventy five years since its independence.