Main issue in these elections: India's withdrawl of subsidy on kerosene and cooking gas.
The agreement was over on June 30th.
India provided logistical support EVMs and Mr. Sampath.
India assured it wont let Bhutan 'suffer' and Indo Bhutan relations are as strong as ever.
While New Delhi has painstakingly tried to convince all that Druk Phuensum Tshogpa(DPT) chief and former prime minister Jigme Thinley's policies were not a dampner for ties - citing in the process his 9 visits to India in the past 5 years - the truth is that India doesn't mind seeing the back of Thinley at all.
New Delhi was alarmed not just by Thinley, who made himself the official ambassador of Bhutan's Gross National Happinessphenomenon, reaching out to Beijing but also the manner in which he established diplomatic ties with many other countries without bothering to take South Block into confidence.
While many in Bhutan have attributed motives to India's decision to cut subsidy on cooking gas and kerosene during the elections, official sources said that for India the successful conduct of second election is indicative of consolidation of democracy in Bhutan. "India has always held that it is happy to work with all in Bhutan. Looks to continue the special and unique relationship," said a government source.
What's interesting is that it was the PDP which seemed to be giving vent to India's concerns when it repeatedly blamed DPT for strained ties with India. The party blamed Thinley's policies even for the subsidy cut by India.
The agreement was over on June 30th.
India provided logistical support EVMs and Mr. Sampath.
India assured it wont let Bhutan 'suffer' and Indo Bhutan relations are as strong as ever.
While New Delhi has painstakingly tried to convince all that Druk Phuensum Tshogpa(DPT) chief and former prime minister Jigme Thinley's policies were not a dampner for ties - citing in the process his 9 visits to India in the past 5 years - the truth is that India doesn't mind seeing the back of Thinley at all.
New Delhi was alarmed not just by Thinley, who made himself the official ambassador of Bhutan's Gross National Happinessphenomenon, reaching out to Beijing but also the manner in which he established diplomatic ties with many other countries without bothering to take South Block into confidence.
While many in Bhutan have attributed motives to India's decision to cut subsidy on cooking gas and kerosene during the elections, official sources said that for India the successful conduct of second election is indicative of consolidation of democracy in Bhutan. "India has always held that it is happy to work with all in Bhutan. Looks to continue the special and unique relationship," said a government source.
What's interesting is that it was the PDP which seemed to be giving vent to India's concerns when it repeatedly blamed DPT for strained ties with India. The party blamed Thinley's policies even for the subsidy cut by India.
No comments:
Post a Comment