Tshering Tobgay’s eyes light up when our small group begins talking about the Indian political scene and the Aam Aadmi Party. The Prime Minister of Bhutan is only too aware of Arvind Kejriwal and his party’s remarkable showing in the Delhi Assembly elections.

We are at a party on the lawns of the Taj Tashi in Bhutan’s capital, where Tobgay has just launched the Mahindra Reva e20 electric car. At the moment, though, he is more intrigued by the Kejriwal phenomenon and its bizarre similarity to his own routine as Prime Minister.

“I meet our people every week and access is never an issue. They are welcome to discuss their issues with me,” Tobgay says. This is precisely what Kejriwal attempted, although with chaotic consequences, during his brief stint as Chief Minister of Delhi.

Simple life

Tobgay, who took over as Bhutan’s PM last year, has also done away with the convoy of cars that accompany a man of his political stature. For his daily commute, he sticks to his car and the only concession is a chauffeur, on the lines of Kejriwal and his Wagon R. The Bhutan Government is keen to provide free power to the poor and, yet again, the similarities with AAP come to the fore.

For the Harvard educated Prime Minister, a Western demeanour comes across very naturally. Yet, he takes pride in respecting his country’s values, which have been passed down through generations. One of these is preserving the environment and respecting nature, which explain the launch of the electric car.

Tobgay comfortably straddles the worlds of modernity and tradition. Less than a fortnight ago, he played host to Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault-Nissan, who visited Bhutan for the launch of the Leaf electric car. This time around, it is the Mahindra management. Tesla Motors and BMW too are expected soon with their own electric cars.

Tobgay is also a fiercely determined person and a guest tells me about how he broke his jaw half way through a mountain biking rally. He had it quickly bandaged and went on to complete the rest of the marathon ride of over 100 km. As we toast the e20, Tobgay tells us he is taking a break from liquor. “I forgot to wish my wife on her birthday last year and decided to atone by not drinking for a year,” he explains with a wide grin.

While bidding goodbye, the Prime Minister lets us know that he is meeting the Bhutanese press as part of a recently set up practice to have a free dialogue with journalists. For sure, Tshering Tobgay is the Aam Aadmi Prime Minister of his country.

(The writer was in Bhutan on the invitation of M&M.)

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