The visit of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton is expected to further strengthen the relationship between the two nations.
“It’s wonderful because both Their Majesties The King and Queen of Bhutan and Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge posses to a very high degree, one of the most wonderful gifts that anybody can posses, which is the ability to talk genuinely to anybody…” said British Honorary Consul to Bhutan, Michael Rutland.
He said the acceptance by Bhutan for a British Honorary Consul was another important step in strengthening the relationship.
Although the two nations shared close personal relationship, there is no formal diplomatic relationship.
Today, more and more countries in the west, including United Kingdom are beginning to realise Bhutan’s important geopolitical position in the region.
“Bhutan’s geopolitical position is absolutely crucial. I sometimes compare it to a fulcrum of a balance.”
If the fulcrum breaks, Michael Rutland said then the whole balance collapses.
“So to me Bhutan is a fulcrum and the preservation of peace and tranquility in Bhutan is of absolute importance to the whole of South Asia.”
Bhutan has had one of the longest relationships with the United Kingdom than many other countries.
The first official visit from United Kingdom took place in the late 1700 when George Bogle, a British diplomat visited Bhutan.
Later in 1800s, a British Mission led by Ashley Eden to Bhutan resulted in the Anglo-Bhutan war also known as the Duar War. Local Historians describe this as a low point in the relationship between the two countries.
The British Honorary Consul to Bhutan, Michael Rutland said after the incident, relationship between the two countries improved, reaching a high point when John Claude White supported the formation of the hereditary monarchy in Bhutan in 1907.
John Claude White was the only foreigner present during the signing of the Oath of Allegiance.
After 1907, the first King of Bhutan received the order of the Knight Commander of the Indian Empire and the second king received the Knight Commander of the Star of India.
In 1947, when Lord Mountbatten was organising the Indian Independence, Bhutan was not recognised as a Maharaja state under the British Empire, which secured Bhutan’s own independence.
