| Summary/Abstract |
Bhutan’s initial historical connections with China were made through Tibet. Bhutan and Tibet have a lengthy history of fighting and exchanges in religion and culture. The possibility of an ambiguous Chinese assertion of sovereignty over Bhutan significantly influenced how the two nations’ relations developed. China’s occupation of Tibet in the 1950s led Bhutan closer involvement with India, which
angered the Chinese government. China always wanted Bhutan to leave Indo-centrism in its foreign policy and conduct it independently. India’s defeat in the 1962 war with China and the incorporation of Sikkim within India’s boundary undoubtedly encouraged Bhutan to develop a mild approach towards China. China has been applying pressure on Bhutan while simultaneously collaborating economically on many projects in Bhutan to counterbalance India’s close ties to that country.
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