Edited by Deepali Verma
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led by former Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay came out victorious in Bhutan’s recent parliamentary elections. Albeit, official results are still pending, early indications show a clear path for Tobgay’s return to the Prime Minister’s office, establishing his second term. He previously served as Prime Minister of Bhutan from 2013 to 2018.
Tshering Tobgay’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP), managed a victory in the 2024 National Assembly general elections of Bhutan, securing 30 out of 47 seats. The Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP) held the remaining 17 seats, as per the reports by the local media based on preliminary results from individual constituencies.
Bharatiya Prime Minister Narendra Modi put forth his congratulations to Tshering Tobgay and the PDP. PM Modi’s message, shared on X, was an expression of heartfelt congratulations to his Bhutanese counterpart and the PDP, and also mentioned his anticipation for continued collaboration and deepening of the unique friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Tobgay’s political journey in Bhutan is rather notable as he was the opposition leader in Bhutan’s inaugural parliament, formed in 2008. He was a former civil servant having an academic background in mechanical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s in public administration from Harvard. His impending return to leadership highlights a crucial moment in Bhutanese politics that reflects the electorate’s trust and confidence in his vision for the country’s future.
The elections in the landlocked nation of Bhutan with a population of around 800,000, saw remarkable voter dedication; for some, it was difficult owing to the terrain. Bhutan’s election process has two stages. The first round, held on November 30, voters choose candidates from a range of parties. The PDP and the BTP were the frontrunners in the primary phase, proceeding to the final round to compete for the National Assembly seats.
A dramatic shift was observed in Bhutan’s political landscape upon this election;s win. The Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT), which established the government in 2018 under Prime Minister Lotay Tshering, bagged only 13% of the votes this time which made them ineligible to advance past the first round. This outcome further applied to their previous opposition parties.
A different yet notable aspect of these elections was the imposition of heavy fines on several candidates and political parties for social media violations. The offences had varying charges such as defamatory comments and spreading misinformation to inciting regionalism, campaigning outside allowed times, false accusations, unauthorised third-party advertising, and engagement in hate speech, reflecting the growing impact of social media on Bhutanese politics.
Strategic significance
Bhutan, amidst geopolitics, emerges as a pivotal player, drawing keen attention from both Bharat and China as the nation undergoes a crucial change of political leadership. These election results are particularly significant in the backdrop of the contested border with China, as Bhutan becomes a focal point of Chinese interest. China’s recent encroachments into Bhutanese territory, coupled with attempts to establish diplomatic ties with Bhutan, present formidable challenges to Bharat.
The escalating Chinese presence and influence in Bhutan raise alarms, with its construction of military roads and the placement of settlers in contested areas creates a new front along Bharat’s vulnerable Siliguri Corridor—a mere 22 kilometres wide at its narrowest point. A recent “cooperation agreement” between Bhutan and China addressing the border disputes intensifies Bharat’s apprehensions.
Bhutan, historically enjoys a unique relationship with Bharat, where policies and the economy are deeply intertwined. These close tiers are evidenced by the ability of Bhutanese citizens to travel to Bharat without passports, underscoring the interdependence. Recent developments, including the Bhutanese King’s official visit to Bharat in early November 2023, mark an important moment in the Bhutan-Bharat relationship. The visit saw crucial meetings take place with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, emphasising on the enduring positive aspects of the relationship.
The Bhutanese King’s visit witnessed rekindling of shared history and trade ties, providing opportunities for enhanced connectivity, trade, security and business growth along the shared border.
Ambitious projects covering the transformation of a domestic airport into an international one and the establishment of a special economic zone on the border hold promise for increased economic growth and cooperation.
Bharat’s role as the de facto security guarantor for Bhutan is crucial, fixed by treaties dating back to 1949. The deep-rooted historical bond between Bhutan and Bharat is characterised by mutual understanding and trust, with Bharat playing a pivotal role in Bhutan’s development across various sectors.
