India is not a controlling big brother

Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the "big brotherly attitude" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. "India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow," says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.

- NAMRATA BIJI AHUJA

TSHERING TOBGAY

PRIME MINISTER OF BHUTAN

The continuity of the strong historical, cultural and spiritual ties is on the threshold of transforming itself into a unique, modern-era global partnership with the development of the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) project on the border with Assam. "The GMC is the vision of the king and it will be a gateway of the world to India and through India to southeast Asia, benefiting the entire region's development," he says.

Tobgay, a cycling and fitness enthusiast, leads a carbon negative country where 70 per cent of the land is covered by forests. He is conscious about balancing development with the core values of the Himalayan kingdom. The GMC, he says, will be developed mindfully to make it what is being referred to by the Bhutanese people as the "silicon valley of the east", where spiritual values and nature will form the bedrock of technological progress and development. Excerpts from the interview:

Q/ How would you describe bilateral ties between India and Bhutan? What are the key challenges facing the partnership?