Nepal and Bhutan, two of India’s close neighbors, have recently been making significant moves that suggest a shift in regional geopolitics, with implications for India’s strategic position. Bhutan, in particular, has been increasingly reaching out to India, signaling its growing importance in the context of China’s expansionist policies. For centuries, Bhutan and India have shared a strong bond, but the rise of China and its territorial ambitions have brought challenges to this relationship. India has long seen its role as a protector of Bhutan, especially given Bhutan’s vulnerability to China’s increasing influence. The recent visits by Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay to India are a reminder of the delicate balance in the region.
Prime Minister of Nepal, Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, who has made headlines with his fourth term in office, has broken tradition by choosing China for his first foreign visit. This marks a shift, as Nepalese Prime Ministers traditionally visit India first. Oli’s trip to Beijing has raised eyebrows, as he secured several key agreements with China. Nepal’s growing tilt toward China is seen as a part of China’s broader expansionist strategy, and it creates a potential challenge for India’s influence in the region. Nepal, traditionally within India’s sphere of influence, is now increasingly turning to Beijing, especially in the wake of Nepal’s own territorial disputes with India, exacerbating India’s concerns about China’s encroachment.
Meanwhile, Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk is scheduled to visit India again this week, a sign of the ongoing strong ties between the two nations. During his visit, the King will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar. This comes just weeks after Bhutan’s Prime Minister visited India, where discussions focused on enhancing bilateral relations. India has long considered Bhutan its special friend, and these visits are seen as reaffirming that relationship. However, Bhutan is also under increasing pressure from China, which is eager to establish diplomatic relations with Bhutan and resolve the border dispute that remains unresolved between the two nations.
The issue of the border dispute between Bhutan and China is of particular importance to India, as it directly impacts India’s security and the stability of the region. Many of the disputed areas are strategically sensitive, involving tri-junction points where the borders of India, Bhutan, and China meet. One such point, Doklam, became the center of a standoff in 2017 when China attempted to build a road in the disputed area. India’s intervention to halt China’s construction resulted in a tense standoff that lasted for months.
As Nepal and Bhutan engage with China in various ways, India’s role in ensuring the security and stability of the region remains more crucial than ever. The changing dynamics in South Asia, particularly with Nepal’s tilt toward China and Bhutan’s delicate balancing act, underscore the importance of India’s diplomatic efforts to safeguard its interests in the face of growing Chinese influence.
