The second national election in Bhutan went off without a hitch. Democracy is making steady progress in the Himalayan kingdom. The Opposition People’s Democratic Party won which is indicative of a healthy and competitive political climate in the country. Democracy dawned in Bhutan in 2008. Its closest ally, India, should help the democratic process in that country attain full maturity. It should not forget that the Thimphu government’s cooperation was and will be essential in tackling lingering militancy in Northeastern India. Bhutan’s elections, however, were clouded by the issue of New Delhi’s withdrawal of gas and kerosene subsidies to Thimphu. It was an expression of New Delhi’s dissatisfaction with the previous Bhutanese government’s attitude to China. New Delhi has decidedly been resorting to arm-twisting and showing signs of undue concern about China’s incursion into its territory. The latest entry into Ladakh has been called accidental by Beijing. India’s big-brotherly attitude has caused its estrangement with most of its neighbours.
India should take a hard look at its handling of regional affairs. Its neighbours show distrust in its professions of goodwill. Nepal regards India’s policy towards it with suspicion. The Bangladesh government is unhappy with India dragging its feet on signing the Teesta and land boundary agreements. Sri Lanka is likewise critical of India’s involvement with the Tamils in the Jaffna peninsula. India’s main headache is bilateral relations with Pakistan. But in this political exercise, friendship with other neighbours should be of great assistance. The news that India may soon lift the ban on subsidies to Bhutan in cooking gas and kerosene brings some relief.