K4: Old friend of India, Bhutan's guiding hand, Pg22.

Key Highlights:

• PM Modi visited Bhutan to celebrate the 70th birthday of the fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck (K4).
• K4 reigned for over 30 years and interacted with 12 Indian Prime Ministers, from Indira Gandhi to Manmohan Singh.
• He initiated Bhutan's transition to a constitutional monarchy, completed by 2008.
• K4 strengthened ties with India, pegging the Bhutanese currency (Ngultrum) to the Indian Rupee at a 1:1 ratio.
• He oversaw cooperation on hydro-power projects like the Chukha project and coordinated with India during Operation All Clear to remove militant groups.
• K4 negotiated the India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty of 2007, updating the 1949 treaty.

Detailed Insights:

• Jigme Singye Wangchuck became king in 1972 and was involved in planning Bhutan's five-year plans from 1971, modeled on India's plans with support from Jawaharlal Nehru.
• He fostered relationships with key figures in India, including leaders from Assam, West Bengal, and Odisha, and senior officials in Delhi.
• Under his reign, Bhutan established diplomatic ties with numerous countries, including Bangladesh (1973), Nepal (1983), and others, while keeping India informed about these developments.
• K4 coordinated with Rajiv Gandhi during the establishment of SAARC in 1985, enhancing Bhutan's international image.
• The Chukha hydro-power project, commissioned during Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure, marked the beginning of power export to India.
• During Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure, the Kurichhu Hydropower project was built, benefiting eastern Bhutan and exporting surplus power to India.
• Operation All Clear in 2003-04, under PM Vajpayee, involved dismantling militant camps of groups like ULFA and NDFB with India's logistical support.
• The 2007 India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty replaced the clause requiring Bhutan to be guided by India in external affairs with a framework for mutual cooperation.
• Even after abdicating the throne, K4 remains influential in India-Bhutan relations, offering counsel on strategic issues.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Ngultrum: The official currency of Bhutan, pegged to the Indian Rupee at a 1:1 ratio.
• SAARC: The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, promoting economic and regional integration.
• Constitutional Monarchy: A system of government where the monarch's power is limited by a constitution.