India welcomes the smooth voting in Bhutan; PM Narendra Modi plans a trip to Thimpu soon

India is closely watching the political developments in the Himalayan state of Bhutan – its closest partner for decades – following the election results and hailed the outcome of the democratic process before the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Thimpu.

Delhi hopes the current partnership will continue with the political party Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) which will eliminate the outgoing PDP on Saturday in the first round of voting. The DNT, a partner of the PDP ministers since 2013, could get support from the PDP on the next round of voting in October and the formation of the DNT-PDP government in Thimpu can not be ruled out, observers from Bhutan said.

In the first round of elections to the National Assembly in 2013, the current TPD won 45% of the vote, with the PDP second at 33%. However, the PDP won the final round in a frustrated victory, after engaging with DNT and successfully attracting their constituents.

The first round of elections to the National Assembly in Bhutan took place on Saturday and nearly 66% of voters voted. DNT was the winner with 31.5% of the vote, followed closely by Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) with 30.6%.

The outgoing PDP came in third with 27.2% of the vote and can not contest the general poll of the lower house of parliament on October 18th. Only two political parties can take part in the final round of parliamentary elections, according to Bhutan's Constitution. On October 18, PDP voters could transfer their votes in favor of the TSD if the last one managed to seduce the supporters of the PDP.

Despite the election results, continuity in Indo-Bhutanese relations is expected to continue, with the king remaining the pivot. The king in a unique gesture even flew to the cremation of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee last month. While India was not an election issue in Bhutan, unlike the 2013 polls, DNT, in its poll, promised to strengthen economic ties with India. There are several references to India in his manifesto. In its manifesto, DPT also promised diversification of ties with India. PDP had maintained extremely cordial ties with India during his 2013 reign.

The week of Bhutan will be celebrated in Delhi this week. The Prime Minister is planning a trip to Thimpu next month or November after the formation of the next National Assembly.

It can be remembered that Bhutan remained firm with India throughout the Doklam episode even as China tried to enter the Himalayan state. Bhutan has coordinated every step with India during the crisis, Indian diplomats said in their submission to the parliamentary commission on external relations. Beijing is striving to establish diplomatic relations with Thimpu, but Bhutan is not open to the idea of ​​establishing formal relations with any of the five permanent members of the Council. security of the UN.

On Saturday evening, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay conceded the election results in a gracious manner. "The people of Bhutan have spoken. And the People's Democratic Party graciously accepts their decision. The will of the people must prevail in a democracy, "he said.