Naha, Alik
The Himalayan discord: Bhutan in India’s strategic calculus - World Affairs - 26(1), Jan-Mar, 2022: p.90-103
The neighbours of India are vital for the preservation and continuity of its national and security interests in the region. Given the nature of the Indian relationship with China, a harmonious relationship with these neighbouring states, therefore, becomes even more important. Associated with this is the locational importance of some of these states as hubs of geo-strategic competition. Bhutan is one such neighbour of India. It is a small Himalayan nation acting as a buffer between India and China. For India, Bhutan is crucial for the security of the Siliguri Corridor and the Northeast, while for China, control over certain territories of Bhutan will allow it to chop off India’s Northeast. Yet, beyond this conflict, if dealt with positively, there is also the possibility of greater trans-Himalayan cooperation. In the given context, the paper explores aspects of India-Bhutan security ties through the lens of border complexities and defines Bhutan’s position in India’s strategic calculus.- Reproduced
The Himalayan discord: Bhutan in India’s strategic calculus - World Affairs - 26(1), Jan-Mar, 2022: p.90-103
The neighbours of India are vital for the preservation and continuity of its national and security interests in the region. Given the nature of the Indian relationship with China, a harmonious relationship with these neighbouring states, therefore, becomes even more important. Associated with this is the locational importance of some of these states as hubs of geo-strategic competition. Bhutan is one such neighbour of India. It is a small Himalayan nation acting as a buffer between India and China. For India, Bhutan is crucial for the security of the Siliguri Corridor and the Northeast, while for China, control over certain territories of Bhutan will allow it to chop off India’s Northeast. Yet, beyond this conflict, if dealt with positively, there is also the possibility of greater trans-Himalayan cooperation. In the given context, the paper explores aspects of India-Bhutan security ties through the lens of border complexities and defines Bhutan’s position in India’s strategic calculus.- Reproduced