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Bhutan
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 to British
India. 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. In March 2005, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck unveiled the
government's draft constitution - which would introduce major
democratic reforms - and pledged to hold a national referendum for its
approval. A referendum date has yet to be named, but should occur in
2008. In December 2006, the King abdicated the throne to his son, Jigme
Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, in order to give him experience as head of
state before the democratic transition. Dzongkha is the official
language.
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