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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Bhutan for a two-day visit, underscoring India's dedication to its "Neighbourhood First Policy," The Times of India reported on March 22.

India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Visits Bhutan

Economics

The Election Commission of Bhutan announced that the People's Democratic Party, or PDP, won 30 seats in the 47-member Parliament, with Tshering Tobgay, who previously served from 2013-2018, set to return as prime minister, Al Jazeera reported on Jan. 10.

Bhutan: PDP Victory in Parliamentary Elections Marks Return of Tshering Tobgay as Prime Minister

Bangladesh

Nepal

Representatives from India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan met in Delhi, India, from March 7-8, and the Indian, Bangladeshi and Nepalese representatives finalized a memorandum of understanding to implement the group's Motor Vehicle Agreement (MVA) pending approval from Bhutan, The Economic Times reported March 8.

India, Bangladesh, Nepal: Countries Move Ahead With Agreement to Boost Regional Connectivity

Security

China in Transition

Beijing has built more than 200 buildings and roads along Bhutan's disputed border near India's strategic Siliguri Corridor, Reuters reported Jan. 12.

China, Bhutan, India: Beijing Ramps Up Construction in Disputed Border Areas

In a virtual meeting of expert groups, China and Bhutan signed a memorandum of understanding that offers a three-step plan to expedite the countries’ border negotiations, South China Morning Post reported Oct. 15. 

China, Bhutan: Memorandum of Understanding Signed to Expedite Border Negotiations

Maldives

Sri Lanka

The New Silk Road

India's Own Worst Enemy

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Maldives and Sri Lanka on his first trip abroad since securing re-election, signaling a clear focus by the Indian government on regional outreach against the backdrop of China's infrastructural push into South Asia.

India: Modi Trip Showcases New Delhi's Regional Push

China has reportedly been increasing construction activity just 2 kilometers (roughly 1.2 miles) from Bhutan's disputed Doklam Plateau, according to satellite imagery, The Print reported April 2.

China, India: Beijing Reportedly Steps up Construction Near Doklam Plateau

The Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) party won a decisive victory over the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) party in Bhutanese elections on Oct. 18, Channel News Asia reported Oct. 19.

Bhutan: Election Results Roll In

Assessments

India is beating a path to its neighbors in an effort to ensure China doesn't muscle in on New Delhi's backyard.

Shoring up New Delhi's influence around South Asia is top on Narendra Modi's to-do list. Achieving success, however, will depend on fending off China and its Belt and Road Initiative.

Wary of China, Modi Courts India's Neighbors

Pakistan

With China ready to open the purse strings, the days when India could dominate South Asia exclusively are long gone.

The India-Pakistan Rivalry

New Delhi is eager to maintain its dominance over the smaller states of the subcontinent, but it'll have a hard time competing with Chinese money.

Why the Belt and Road Fuels India's Fears of Encirclement

Mauritius

Seychelles

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, will be preoccupied with elections in 2019 and Chinese President Xi Jinping with the United States, but each will continue his country's competition for advantage across South Asia and the Indian Ocean.

Beijing's economic and military expansion into South Asia challenges New Delhi's ability to maintain its influence over its neighbors.

India Guards Against China's Encroaching Shadow

Snapshots

India and China will maneuver for influence with the new government in the tiny Himalayan nation.

Bhutan: Center-Left Party Scores Big Win in Country's 3rd Parliamentary Election

Media

Videos

Modernizing China’s Military

Satellite imagery shows Chinese and Indian forces along the Line of Actual Control.

Getting the Satellite View of a Border Dispute at the Top of the World

Since their last standoff in the Himalayas, India and China have been busy adding troops and weapons and upgrading bases near the Doklam Plateau.

Preparing for a Rematch at the Top of the World

Focal Points

While New Delhi has called for both sides to stand down in Bhutan, Beijing has reiterated that India must withdraw its troops from the Doklam plateau before negotiations on China's road project in the area can begin. 

The standoff in Bhutan between Indian and Chinese forces offers a glimpse into the difficulties New Delhi will face as it tries to counter Beijing's advance into South Asia.

Heading Off China at Doka La Pass

South Asia

The maneuvering by India and China, playing out once again on a disputed patch of land in neighboring Bhutan, shows no sign of abating.

Bhutan: Small Buddhist Kingdom Serves as Geopolitical Chessboard

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Paris Agreement Emphasizes Shift Away From Oil

The pace of the transition will be decided by how quickly new technologies reach the developing world.

Energy

Delegates attend a plenary session at the U.N. climate change summit in Paris on Dec. 9.

The agreement signed Dec. 12 in Paris is just a small part of a broader energy transition driven by technological change.

Climate Agreement Will Only Hasten Transition Beyond Oil

_Energy

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New Delhi is using its economic advantage to change Nepal's constitution, but the tactic could renew political upheaval in the country.


India Tries to Shape Nepal's New Constitution

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This is an internal Stratfor document listing significant meetings and events for the next week.

Geopolitical Calendar: Week of March 18, 2013

Bhutan is a small, landlocked kingdom in South Asia. The Himalayan country was never formally colonized and, in the late 20th century, its history of isolationism began to give way to a gradual democratization which culminated in the creation of a multiparty democracy in 2008. Currently, Bhutan is a constitutional monarchy with the House of Wangchuck inhabiting the throne. Sitting on the ancient Silk Road, it borders Tibet to the north and northwest and India to the southwest, south and east. Spanning an area of 38,394 square kilometers (14,824 square miles), the majority Buddhist country is made up of three major ethnic groups, including the Bhutia, the Sharchop and the Nepalese.    Bhutan has a remarkably diverse topography. In the south, its grassy, humid and forested Duars plains define the country's border with the Indian states of Assam and West Bengal. North of the plains, the terrain increases in elevation to form the lesser Himalayas which contain fertile valleys such as the Paro and Thimpu. Even further north, the land continues its upward slope until it culminates in the lofty peaks of the Himalayas which straddle the country's poorly demarcated border with China.    Bhutan's geographic challenge as a small nation is to maintain its sovereignty in its territory squeezed between India and China. India views Bhutan as vital to its strategic defense and has historically served as Bhutan's dominant political, economic and security partner. China, on the other hand, has an ongoing border dispute with Bhutan. The 269 square kilometers of disputed territory crucially include the Doklam Plateau, which overlooks the Chumbi Valley and Beijing wants to possess to redress its military disadvantage against India in the region. India, which has its own border dispute with China, aims to prevent Beijing from resolving the dispute in its favor.

SITUATION REPORTS

India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Visits Bhutan

Bhutan: PDP Victory in Parliamentary Elections Marks Return of Tshering Tobgay as Prime Minister

India, Bangladesh, Nepal: Countries Move Ahead With Agreement to Boost Regional Connectivity

China, Bhutan, India: Beijing Ramps Up Construction in Disputed Border Areas

China, Bhutan: Memorandum of Understanding Signed to Expedite Border Negotiations

India: Modi Trip Showcases New Delhi's Regional Push

China, India: Beijing Reportedly Steps up Construction Near Doklam Plateau

Bhutan: Election Results Roll In

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