'There will be element of continuity in Bhutan-India ties'

Tshering Tobgay, leader of Bhutan's victorious People's Democratic Party (PDP), has repeatedly stressed that India is "irreplaceable for Bhutan" and his becoming prime minister of the Himalayan country will help bring in "an element of continuity" to India-Bhutan relations that will help it prosper, says former Indian envoy Pavan K. Varma.

The opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) won the elections with a massive mandate, capturing 32 seats, while the incumbent Druk Phuensum Tshogpa of former prime minister Jigmi Y. Thinley, could manage just 15 seats in the 47-member National Assembly. The elections were Bhutan's second parliamentary elections since the country became a democracy in 2008.

Varma, former Indian envoy to Bhutan, told IANS that Tobgay has "repeatedly stressed that India is irreplaceable for Bhutan, both for its internal development and its external policy."

"And he has also said that anything that dilutes our relationship with India is undesirable. I have known Tshering Tobgay personally and I can assure you that like all governments in Bhutan, the element of continuity will be there and India and Bhutan relations should ideally strengthen and grow," Varma, who retired from the Indian Foreign Service to become an adviser to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, said.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday congratulated Tshering Tobgay and promised India's "steadfast and unflinching support" and assured that New Delhi will remain "sensitive to Bhutan and its interests".

In a congratulatory message, the prime minister said that "India is a privileged partner of Bhutan and it's people in their socio-economic progress and development. Our bilateral ties are anchored in a strong foundation of trust, mutual confidence and understanding. I wish to reiterate India's undiminished commitment to Bhutan in preserving these unique and special traditional ties. India is, and will remain, sensitive to Bhutan and its interests".

India had cut off the kerosene and cooking gas subsidy to Bhutan last month as the 10th Plan, under which India was providing such assistance, expired June 30. India has said it will discuss the issue with the new government in Bhutan.

Manmohan Singh also said that he has instructed his officials to "prepare for the discussions on our plan assistance to Bhutan".

Varma said India "will discuss the issue of subsidy with the new government".

He reiterated his criticism on cutting off the subsidy. "I believe it was both an ill-timed and unwise development... I'm sure now we will have an opportunity with the new government to set it right", said the former envoy.