Bhutan
Posted on 12/27/2005 6:23:11 PM PST by CarrotAndStick
The Chinese are in Bhutan — its soldiers are building roads and bridges deep inside the country and setting off alarms in both Thimphu and Delhi. Over 200 Chinese soldiers crossed into Bhutan in mid-November and since then, the relations between the two countries have been on the edge.
Bhutan, which has a 470-km unfenced border with China, considers the unasked-for presence of the Red Army in its territory as a violation of the 1998 Sino-Bhutanese border treaty of peace and tranquillity. Rattled by the developments, the tiny kingdom, which shares a special relationship and a 605-km border with India, has also informed the Indian home ministry.
The matter also came up before Bhutan's National Assembly and foreign minister Khandu Wangchuk promised the House that the matter would soon be taken up with the Chinese authorities.
On November 13, the Chinese soldiers entered the country’s northern districts, including Paro, and marched 20 km inland, claiming that they had been forced by melting glaciers and heavy snowfall in Tibet to breach the border. But they also went on to infiltrate remote places like Haa, Boomtang and Wangdi Phudrang, which have no human habitation. The Chinese have built pucca bridges in Paro and Haa districts, prompting concern among the people’s representatives from Paro, Haa, Laya, Lunana, Zhemgang and Thimphu.
When secretary of international boundaries Dasho Pema Wangchuk took up the issue with the Chinese delegation led by deputy director-general of the Asian department in the China’s ministry of foreign affairs, China just brushed off the apprehensions.
“They told the Bhutanese that they were over-reacting and that the roads were being built as part of the economic development programmes for western China,” an Indian intelligence officer said. “India and Bhutan enjoy a special relationship, and the current developments have come as a matter of serious concern for India,” the official added.
That the concern is not confined to government circles in Thimphu and Delhi was clear from a recent article in Bhutanese newspaper Kuensel, which said, “There are chances that the Chinese might build more roads further into our territory and gradually claim the land as theirs since they have their roads on our territory.”
But why the incursion? Sources said China had been pressing Bhutan to allow it to open its embassy in Thimphu, and the cross-border forays could be a ploy to arm-twist Bhutan into agreeing to it.
Bhutan
pong
Improved roads mean your soldiers can ride instead of having to walk to the jumping off points.
Ping on Chinese incursion.
great...
I'm trying to look on the bright side...at least we don't have to worry about China and India working together against us if they stay mad at each other.
This is not good.
The Chinese are trying to pinch off a part of India so that they can take Bangladesh.
This is actually a passive-agressive declaration of war on India.
We should Bhutan some Claymores, LAWs and other nice 'toys.' Play the same game we used to keep the Soviets from winnign Afganistan.
The chinese really are nothing but fried lice.
The reddened areas are Indian territory that China has occupied or continues to occupy.
Actually, the reddened area on the top-left is what China occupies.
The reddened area on the far-right is what India controls, but is claimed by China as their land.
Wasn't part of the far-right territory occupied by China when China and India had a little skirmish in 1962? From what I've read, China did occupy this area.
They did, but had to retreat when the Soviets began to pressure them. Presently, that region is the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, considered by China to be an "illegal" occupation of "Chinese" soil.
http://arunachalpradesh.nic.in/
Could get ugly with the Dragon flexing her claws.
Could, but that's why India tested its nukes seven years ago.
Gorgeous pics.
Peking is ruled by a gang of rogue criminals who don't need reasons. If they can establish a salient into Indian territory, that is reason enough for them. Expand their future options a bit, just because they think they can. India will need to assert herself on this, or pay a price later.
Is it just me or does it seem like China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, North Korea etc. are "lining up their ducks" for something big? It would not surprise me if another world war breaks out within 5 years and it will be nuclear.
America had better wake up soon or we'll find ourselves at the short end of the stick.
Bill Clinton should be charged with TREASON. God help us if his bi+ch gets elected president.
Bhutan is not a part of India. Like Nepal, Bhutan too has friendly ties, and a visa-free border agreement, with India. Bhutan is weary of China because the Chinese had swallowed their culturally identical gigantic neighbour, Tibet, and the world didn't do a thing about it.
In fact, like Taiwan, most governments, America and India included, recognise Tibet and Taiwan as part of China, based on a "One China" policy.
Yeah, right. Blame it on global warming.
Invading across the Himalayas in winter. Yikes!
lol
I agree with your post entirely. We DO need to wake up and realize an alliance is forming against us. I would also add India as a potential member of an anti-US alliance, despite the fact that they have some tensions with China.
China, Russia, North Korea, Pakistan, Iran, Syria, India, Venezuela, Cuba, and probably a few more countries waiting in the wings to join the Axis of Evil (not that all these countries I mentioned are on the Axis yet, especially Russia, THEY need to wake up too.)
All these countries combined means a lot of military might, and a lot of people, being arrayed against us.
And I agree with you. Clinton should have been tried for treason long ago.
And then convicted and hanged.
Isn't Bhutan a protectorate of India, or doesn't India have some treaty with them to defend Bhutan against China or some sort of agreement?
If I recall correctly, Bhutan also has a small armed forces, of something like 7,000 men, mostly infantry. If I were the leaders in Thimpu, I would send those troops after the invaders.
BHUTAN:
A monarchy was set up in 1907 under British influence. A treaty was signed three years later, whereby the country became a British protectorate. Independence was attained in 1949, with India subsequently guiding its foreign relations and providing aid. Bhutan is ruled by a hereditary monarch, King Jigme Singye Wangchuk, who governs with the support of a National Assembly and a Council of Ministers. There is no written constitution to protect fundamental, political and human rights. Since ascending the throne in 1972, the King has continued his efforts towards the social and political modernization of Bhutan, initiated by his father.
Wedged between India and China, Bhutan does not have a navy and has the security cover of the Indian air force. After centuries of close ties with Tibet, and indirect connections with China, Bhutan developed a southerly political orientation, first with British India, and then with independent India. British troops in or near Bhutan presented a powerful deterrent to China from the 18th century until the early 20th century. Britain?s withdrawal from India in 1947, and India?s replacement of Britain as Bhutan?s protector coincided with the Communist victory in China. In 1949, Bhutan was brought under the Indian security umbrella. India is responsible for Bhutanese security. An Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) is based in Bhutan to provide training to the Bhutanese security forces.
DEFENCE BUDGET
NA
ARMY
Introduction
The Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) was organized as a regular military force in the 1950s, with the encouragement of India and in response to the takeover of Tibet by China. Following the establishment of a national militia in 1958, the government announced a new conscription system and plans for raising a standing army of 2,500 troops with modern equipment. Military training was imparted to all able-bodied men, and, by 1963, the standing army was established. A reorganization in 1968 led to an increase in the army to 4,850 troops, with a programme aimed at recruiting 600 additional troops per year.
In mid-2000, the RBA was composed of 7,000 men, backed by a growing militia. The RBA has quietly expanded its strength by nearly one-third over the past four years in preparation for a confrontation with anti-Indian insurgents (United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and Bodo Liberation Tigers Force) operating in the country's eastern region. Bhutan initiated its response to this threat in 1997 with plans to expand the RBA, a lightly armed infantry force with a strength estimated to number about 6,000. The scale of this increase is not known. The RBA has raised six new wings since 1997, each of which is equivalent to an under-sized infantry battalion, but it is not clear whether the figures provided by government sources represents the overall intake. Each of the additionally trained wings is in different stages of training and acclimatization and will be deployed for counterinsurgency duties, primarily along the eastern border areas.
Budget
NA
Organization
The army?s supreme commander is the Druk Gyalpo, the ruler of Bhutan. Regular administrative functions are carried out by the Chief Operations Officer with the rank of a Major General. Prior to 1981, the Chief Operations Officer was a Colonel. Organizationally, the army headquarters ranks as a ministry and is immediately subordinate to the Council of Ministers. The Army Headquarters are at Thimphu while the training center is at Tenchholing. There are four Operational Wings; Wing 1 is at Changjukha (Geylegphug), Wing 2 is at Damthung, Wing 3 is at Goinichawa and Wing 4 is at Yonphula. Organized into companies, platoons and sections, the troops are assigned to the wings deployed primarily in border areas. The army also operates hospitals in Lungtenphug, Wangidphodran, and Yonphula. Members of the Royal Body Guards (an elite VIP protection unit commanded by a lieutenant colonel) have completed counterinsurgency and jungle warfare training in the Mizo Hills in India, the Indian College of Combat, and the Indian Military Academy.
Military Branches: The Bhutanese defence structure comprises the Royal Bhutan Army and Militia. There are five military branches, namely, the Royal Bhutan Army, National Militia, Royal Bhutan Police, Royal Body Guards and Forest Guards (Paramilitary). The Royal Bhutan Police (RBP), assisted by the Royal Bhutan Army (including those assigned to the Royal Body Guard), and a national militia maintain internal security.
Militia: Historically, the government had raised militia forces during the period of theocratic rule (1616-1907) at times of crisis. They were commanded by a dapon (arrow chief in Dzongkha). In modern times, a 5,000-strong militia was raised in 1958 as part of the defensive strategy against China. Militia personnel were trained by army officers, who had been trained at the Indian Military Academy. Their primary function was to act as a first line of defense along the frontiers with China. Following an Indian inspection tour in 1961, the government was advised to step up militia recruitment. In 1967, the militia was reorganized on a national basis, with compulsory military training being given for three months each year for three years, to men 20-25 years of age. After the initial three-year training phase, militia personnel were placed on reserve status.
Strength
NA
Equipment
S. No.
Weapon
1
Rifles & Bayonets
2
Machine Guns
3
Mortar (81 mm)
Modernization
NA
NAVY
Nil
AIRFORCE
Nil
NUCLEAR FORCES
Nil
PARA-MILITARY FORCES
Introduction
Village security is a long-standing tradition. The present militia is controlled by the Central Government. Universal militia training by the Royal Bhutan Army was instituted in 1989. Uniformed Forest Guards are trained by the Royal Bhutan Army to ensure border security and protect forests.
The Forest Guards, a uniformed government service with paramilitary capabilities, has been in existence since the early 1970s. Under the jurisdiction of the Department of Forestry, Forest Guards were trained in two six-month courses each year at the Forestry School. Small arms training is imparted by the Royal Bhutan Army. Besides guarding Bhutan's important forest resources, the Forest Guards provide border-security support to the Royal Bhutan Police.
Royal Police Force
Established on 1 September 1965, the Royal Bhutan Police is not part of the armed forces. Since 1981, the recruits ? grade six graduates and above ? are trained at the police training centre in Jigmiling, Geylegphug District. The curriculum consists of weapons training, tae kwon do, physical training with and without arms, law, simple investigation techniques, ?turn-out drill?, check-post duties, traffic control, public relations, and driglam namzha (traditional values and etiquette). The Royal Bhutan Police is the only force that recruits women. A system of village defence committees is used for local patrolling in the border region. The Royal Bhutan Police is subordinate to the RBA and is headquartered in each district and subdistrict. Since the establishment of the police force, Indian police advisers and instructors have been utilized. Starting in 1975, Bhutanese instructors, trained in India for one year, began training recruits at the Zilnon Namgyeling Police Training Centre. Advanced training for selected police officers in criminology, traffic control, and canine corps has taken place in India and other countries. In 1988, following specialized training in India, a lady second lieutenant established a fingerprint bureau in Thimphu. Besides having access to training at the Indian Police Academy in Hyderabad, some students were also sent to the Police Executive Development Course in Singapore. Apart from performing standard police functions, members of the Royal Bhutan Police also serve as border guards and firefighters and provide first aid.
Budget
NA
Strength
NA
FORCES ABROAD
NA
SOURCES
1. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour: US Department of State, 4 March 2002.
2. India Defence Yearbook 2002, Lt General R K Jasbir Singh PVSM.
3. The Military Balance 2000-2001: The International Institute for Strategic Studies
4. CIA World Factbook
But, but,..but,..the Democratic socialists told us that if the Chinese were dependent upon our trade, they could never do anything like this,...it's just, so unfair....
This doesn't mean we shouldn't have given so much of our industrial capacity to China does it??? Why, if this continues and they refuse to trade with us, what could we possibly do then???? Michael Moore and his friends said this just isn't possible. /sarcasm off
Thanks so much for the information CarrotAndStick. I was looking for that online but was unable to find it.
Hmm, so it does look like Bhutan has some military capability. Not much in the way of heavy equipment though. I guess they rely on India to help out if things get really rough.
If I was the Bhutan defense minister I would look into purchasing some helicopters and armored vehicles and artillery and maybe a few tanks. A few fighter jets couldn't hurt either.
Of course, I have no idea what kind of funds Bhutan has. Maybe they can't afford more than they already have.
Why do you think India is a potential member of an anti-US alliance?
Although I'm not sure, I think the US government also aids Bhutan militarily. I recall reading about transfers of the equipment you mentioned, but I am not sure uif it was Bhutan or Nepal.
Anyway, as you can see from the map I posted earlier, the Greater Himalayas lie at the Bhutan-Tibet border. These are almost impassable, even by most aircraft (25,000+ feet mountains, highly rarified air and arctic temperatures) except in certain key passes (not more than four). Once China gets a hold of these passes or any territory beyond the Greater Himalayas, they will be an extremely serious threat for India.
Note: The Government of India finances nearly three-fifths of Bhutan's budget expenditures (FY95/96 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:
Substantial aid from India and other nations
Background:
In 1865, Britain and Bhutan signed the Treaty of Sinchulu, under which Bhutan would receive an annual subsidy in exchange for ceding some border land. Under British influence, a monarchy was set up in 1907; three years later, a treaty was signed whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. This role was assumed by independent India after 1947. Two years later, a formal Indo-Bhutanese accord returned the areas of Bhutan annexed by the British, formalized the annual subsidies the country received, and defined India's responsibilities in defense and foreign relations. A refugee issue of some 100,000 Bhutanese in Nepal remains unresolved; 90% of the refugees are housed in seven United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) camps.
Source: CIA World Factbook
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/bt.html
Need to build those roads to get the tank brigades across and into the more open country.
China also claims all of SE asia, Taiwan and Siberia, not to mention Tajikistan and Khurgistan. To damn bad for the Chinese.
I wonder, with China holding us by the economic gonads, would we say anything if they invaded and occupied?
I respond: That was probably the most idiotic post of the day. Not to mention offensive. You are either not very well informed, or have not been paying attention to international relations development over the past 30 years, more notably the past 10 years.
India and Israel are our best allies in that part of the world precisely because of the fact that they are both surrounded by mortal enemies (Islamic Fascists for both and Chinese Communists for India) each of whom have been attacked many times before by their enemies, and who share these mortal enemies with the United States. Due to this fact these three countries simply need each other to survive, grow, and prosper in the spirit of democracy, freedom, progressiveness, economic development, capitalism, the Rule of Law, and an open transparent form of government.
You had better study a bit more before you lambast entire nations based on your misguided gut instincts.
This is indeed very disturbing.India and Bhutan must immediately bring this up before the world community.Millitary action is not going to help much as the Chinese are extremely powerful.However the terrain may support Bhutanese forces.The world bodies must come forward to condemn the chinese agression and bullying.
Russia wants to "Help" Iran with its little nuclear "Problem." They both sell oil to China for hard cash which Big Daddy Putin then uses to build war toys to sell to the Iranians for them to play with. China hoards the oil and tries to bully Japan to keep them from helping America protect Taiwan. Meanwhile, Dear Leader sits back and waits while Europe sends very stern memos and Kofi Annan tries to pretend he's interested. A pattern is building here, one that the world may pay dearly for.
very true.We can only pray for Bhutan.
His overlord, not his b****.
Nice Cliff Notes.
You should see my version of War And Peace : )
If India aligns against us, it will be our fault. They are potentially a great friend in the war against Islam. Israel sees it, and has made overtures toward them.
Why we are inserted so far up the Chi-com's rectums is beyond me.
"His overlord, not his b****."
You're right, I forgot who wore the pants in the Clinton family!
India's got a hard choice. The Maoists on the one hand, are trouble for sure, the King, on the other, is suspected of being cozy with the Chinese. Hence India's call for the re-establishment of democracy in Nepal, which, I believe, is the stand that the Bush Administration has also taken.
http://news.webindia123.com/news/showdetails.asp?id=201993&n_date=20051226&cat=Asia
Nepal splurges on arms from China
Kathmandu | December 26, 2005 5:15:11 PM IST
Cash-strapped Nepal has just spent over $800,000 on arms and ammunition from China.
The Royal Nepalese Army (RNA), which saw its major arms donors - India and the US - suspend lethal military assistance after King Gyanendra seized power in February, has bought four million rounds of 7.62 mm rifle ammunition and 18,000 grenades from China.
The arsenal was supplied by Beijing-based Poly Technologies and has reached the army.
In October, Nepal's biggest daily Kantipur had reported that the consignment reached Kathmandu via the Tatopani customs checkpoint along the Kodari highway north of Nepal.
However, at that time, the army had denied receiving lethal supplies.
The transaction was reportedly confirmed by highly placed sources at Nepal Rastra Bank, the top bank in the country that drew a letter of credit for over $800,000 payable at the Bank of China in Beijing.
After the royal takeover Feb 1, the US suspended arms supply, saying it would be resumed after the army improved its human rights record. India says it has put arms on hold to foster reconciliation between the king and opposition parties.
Earlier, Amnesty International had urged the suspension of arms supply to Nepal, saying they were used against civilians.
Amnesty cites the Doramba incident in 2003, in which at least 19 people were killed, as an instance. The army took under control 19 people from the village in Ramechhap district and killed them extra-judicially.
Interestingly, an RNA soldier who apparently went berserk in the tourist town of Nagarkot earlier this month and killed 11 civilians before allegedly turning the gun on himself had used 7.62 bullets.
Human rights activists who went to the spot to conduct an investigation found 7.62 spent cartridges at the site.
(IANS)
Infrastructure sponsored in return for an advertising concession based on the
"See Rock City" model.
".....add India as a potential member of an anti-US alliance...."
I agree. India is acting friendly to the U.S. right now because we are providing them with jobs and money (via outsourcing). When the shooting starts, India will be attacked by Chinese ground troops and will quickly fall.
"....Russia, THEY need to wake up too...."
I think they already did and are aligning themselves with what they see as the stonger force. Their goal has always been to see the U.S. overthrown. Never trust a Russian or a Chinaman!
I think the whole problem lies in the past two administrations (Clinton & Bush) trying to be "kinder and gentler" towards our enemies. To hell with that. It's time to start rebuilding our military forces and close the U.S. off to foreign invaders through our southern and northern borders. For some reason our RINO president has continued to turn his head away from this issue. Perhaps this is his way of accelerating his "New World Order"???
It won't just be Venezuela, it will be all of Central and South America along with Socialist Mexico waiting in the wings to strike us. I just don't understand why we keep feeding our enemies.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.