The Visits of Nehru and Indira to Bhutan by Yak, 1958

 

Since Indian independence in 1947, except for the visits by the Indian foreign secretary Ratan Kumar Nehru to Paro in 1955, Bhutan did not receive any significant dignitaries from India until 1958. The visits by the Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru took place in September 1958. The prime minister was accompanied by his daughter Indira Gandhi[1] and a few officials from the Foreign and Home ministry. At the request of Jigmie Palden Dorji, Nari Rustomji[2] who was then the Dewan (Prime Minister) of Sikkim also joined the entourage. The entire journey of Nehru was described in Rustomji’s book, “Enchanted frontiers: Sikkim, Bhutan and India’s North-East Borderland (1971).” After spending a night at Sherathang, Sikkim, Nehru and his entourage crossed Nathu La Pass on the following morning. On reaching Bhutan’s border, PM Nehru was welcomed by a representative of His Majesty Jigmie Palden Dorji. In the continuing journey, PM Nehru and Indira mounted yaks. After crossing Chele La, PM Nehru reached Paro on 22 September 1958. In a grand traditional procession ceremony, His Majesty the king and the Queen grandly welcomed the PM and his entourage.

The arrival of PM Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira at Paro, 22 September 1958 (Photo: Internet Archive, 2022)

On 23 September 1958, the prime minister gave a formal speech to the thousands of people who gathered to hear about the future and India’s friendship towards Bhutan amidst the growing tension in the North. The Prime Minister spoke in Hindi and the Bhutanese interpreter was deployed to translate into the Bhutanese language for the public. In an awkward situation, Rustomji described that the interpreter did not serve the purpose as audiences were left waiting while the interpreter engages PM Nehru for elucidation after every sentence. In the ensuing moment, His Majesty saved the situation by deputizing himself as the translator. His Majesty had a sound knowledge of Hindi and translation was not a problem. While Nehru was touched by His Majesty’s gesture, the crowd cheered unstopping. In his speech, the Prime Minister ushered continued respect for Bhutan’s sovereignty and shows goodwill towards the Indo-Bhutan friendship as quoted below:

“Some may think that since India is a great and powerful country and Bhutan a small one, the former might wish to exercise pressure on Bhutan. It is therefore essential that I make it clear to you that our only wish is that you should remain an independent country choosing your own way of life and taking the path of progress according to your will. At the same time, we two should live with mutual goodwill. We are members of the same Himalayan family and should live as friendly neighbours helping each other. Freedom of both Bhutan and India should be safeguarded so that none from outside can do harm to it.” (Quoted by Coelho in Sikkim and Bhutan, 1971, p.72) 

 

 

Prime Minister Nehru addressing the gathering on 23 September 1958 at Paro (Photo: Internet Archive, 2022)

 

During the five days stay in Bhutan, PM Nehru and the future prime minister, Indira formed a close bond with their Majesties and the people of Bhutan. Nehru and His Majesty discussed a broad range of topics. Significantly, Nehru urged the Royal government to modify the country’s isolation policy, at least to the extent of accepting economic aid from India. Besides, for strategic and economic reasons, India was interested to build a road connecting India with central and western Bhutan.[3]

Prime Minister Nehru and His Majesty witnessing the archery tournament, 25 September 1958 (Photo: Internet Archive, 2022)

 

Prime Minister Nehru in Bhutanese attire in presence of His Majesty the Third King and Nari Rustomji at Paro, 24 September 1958 (Photo: Internet Archive, 2022)

His Majesty and the Queen Mother hearty send-off to PM Nehru at Paro, 27 September 1958 (Photo: Internet Archive, 2022)

 

Prime minister Nehru and his entourage departed from Paro on 27 September 1958 after the successful completion of five days of visits to Bhutan. Prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s visits to Bhutan was a significant milestone in Bhutan’s history. PM Nehru became the first-ever head of the government to visit Bhutan and marked the end of Bhutan’s centuries-old isolation policy. Although Bhutan’s response to the Indian government’s assistance for development was noncommittal in 1958, it seems Bhutan was inclined to external support later. To discuss the developmental needs of Bhutan, the Bhutanese delegation headed by Jigmie Palden Dorji visited New Delhi on 18 September 1959.[4] Subsequently, Bhutan’s first Five Year Plan was launched in 1961 with full funding support from the Indian government, thus beginning the new era of modern Bhutan.

 

Bibliography

Coelho, V.H. (1971). Sikkim and Bhutan. New Delhi: Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

Rahul, R. (1972). Modern Bhutan. New Delhi: Chawla Vikas Publication.

Rose, L. E. (1977). The Politics of Bhutan. London: Cornell University Press Limited.

Rustomji, N. (1971). Enchanted frontiers: Sikkim, Bhutan and India’s North-East Borderland. London: Oxford University Press.

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[1] Indira Gandhi became the Prime Minister of India in 1966 until her assassination in 1977. She became the first and only woman prime minister of the Republic of India. PM Indira Gandhi visited Bhutan after ten years in 1968.

[2] Nari Rustomji (1919-1994) was Dewan of Sikkim from 1954-1959 and later served as the advisor to the Bhutan government in 1963.

[3] Rose, the Politics of Bhutan (1977).

[4] Ram Rahul, Modern Bhutan (1972).