The emergence of Independent India and The Indo-Bhutan Treaty, 1949

As Indian independence drew nearer, Bhutan’s apprehension grew and feared that the new Republic of India might consider Bhutan as one of the princely states of India and force it into their domain. Even before the independence in 1947, a Bhutanese delegation visited Delhi to confirm its independent status during the visit of the British Cabinet Mission. Before the departure in 1947, the last British political officer in Sikkim, Arthur Hopkinson was supportive of Bhutan and advised the new Indian government that Bhutan was different from other princely states. Besides, Hopkinson urged that India should continue to maintain a close relationship with Bhutan for its security significance. After India got independence on 15 August 1947, a Bhutanese delegation was dispatched to India on 23 April 1948, and requested the new government to revise the treaty and proposed the return of 800 square miles of Bhutanese territory ceded to the British in 1865. Bhutan was prepared to forego its annual subsidy if the Indian government meet the demand[1].

Bhutan’s fear of uncertainty came to an end when prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru met the Bhutanese delegation and agreed to consider the proposal in 1948[2]. Two years after the Indian independence, on 8 August 1949, Bhutan and India signed a new treaty, the ‘Indo-Bhutan Treaty’ in Darjeeling, India. The Bhutanese delegation was headed by Gongzim Sonam Tobgye Dorji and Harishwar Dayal[3] on the Indian side. The new treaty was the revision of the treaty of Punakha, in 1910 and saw some major advantages to Bhutan. Under the new treaty, 32 square miles of territory in Dewathang were returned to Bhutan as a gesture of goodwill. Since the early 1900s, due to its immense economic significance, Bhutan has repeatedly requested the British to return a lost territory but did not materialise. Secondly, the annual subsidy was increased from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 500,000 while Bhutan consented to be guided by India regarding external affairs (Article II). Most significantly, unlike the treaty of Punakha, the title ‘Druk Gyalpo’ instead of ‘Maharaja’ was inserted in the new treaty. The title, ‘Maharaja’ was borne by the rulers of the princely states of India. The treaty also ensures free trade between Bhutan and India. With the revision of the new treaty, the newly independent India pursued the ‘Pro-Bhutan policy’, thus ending the British’s forward policy[4]. 

The signing of the ‘Indo-Bhutan Treaty,1949’ was a watershed moment in Bhutan’s history. The new treaty affirmed Bhutan’s status as an independent nation besides returning the lost territory. However, the signing of the new treaty did not lead to any major economic developments in Bhutan. It was only in 1958, Bhutan ended its isolation and embarked on the journey of modernisation with financial and technical support from the Indian government. 

 

The signing of the Indo-Bhutan Treaty between Gongzim Sonam Tobgye Dorji and Harishwar Dayal in Darjeeling, 1949 (Photo: Historical Photographs of India, 2013)

The Bhutanese delegates at the signing of the Indo-Bhutan Treaty, 1949. From left: Choe-zim Thondup, Yanglop Sonam Gyamtsho, Gongzim Sonam Tobgye Dorji, Rin-zim Tandin, Jigme Palden Dorji (Photo: Bhutan: The Thunder Dragon kingdom in crisis by Nari Rustomji, 1977, p. 45)

 

Bibliography

 

Labh, K. (1974). India and Bhutan. New Delhi: Sindhu Publications Limited.

 

Phuntsho. K. (2013). The history of Bhutan. India: Random House Publishers India Private Limited.

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[1] India and Bhutan by Kapileshwar Labh (1974)

[2] The History of Bhutan by Karma Phuntsho (2013)

[3] Harishwar Dayal succeeded the last British political officer in Sikkim, Arthur Hopkinson.