Gautam Bambawale presents credentials

Newly appointed Indian ambassador to Bhutan Gautam Bambawale has presented his credentials to The King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk on Tuesday (5 August).

The credentials were presented at a formal ceremony held at the Throne Room of the Tashichhodzong.

Bambawale replaced V P Haran from August 1.

For the first time India is sending a China expert as the ambassador to Thimphu. Bambawale was joint secretary for East Asia and South Block’s best known “China hand”.

India is sending this China expert to Bhutan amidst reports of Chinese intrusion into Bhutanese territory. Chinese intrusion has caused more concern in Indian politics and parliament than in Bhutan.

Bambawale has been closely associated with the boundary agreement, including leading the Indian side on the working mechanism. He was the lead negotiator for the border defence cooperation agreement (BDCA) with China in the months after the Depsang incursion created a major flutter between the two Asian giants.