China and Bhutan get closer to settling border disputes

Talks between Bhutan and China to settle their boundary disputes have picked up momentum, prompting India to caution Thimphu against compromising on the Doklam corridor under Chinese pressure.

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi held talks on the border disputes with Bhutanese counterpart Tandi Dorji in Beijing on Monday. China asked Bhutan to resolve the disputes at earliest to establish full diplomatic ties and 'transform' their relationship. Restoration of diplomatic ties would serve the long-term interests of both countries, a Chinese foreign ministry statement quoted Wang as saying.

ET has learnt that New Delhi has conveyed to Bhutan against making compromises on sensitive issues such as the Doklam corridor and any settlement of the boundary disputes should not in any way impact India's interests. India and China were locked in a standoff at the Doklam trijunction for two months in 2017. Bhutan is among India's closest allies and has strategic linkages, including military partnership, with India for decades.

"The conclusion of boundary negotiations and establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Bhutan fully serve the long-term and fundamental interests of the country and nation of Bhutan. China is ready to work with Bhutan in the same direction, seize the historic opportunity, complete this important process as soon as possible, and fix and develop China-Bhutan friendly relations in legal form," Wang told Dorji during meeting.

According to the Chinese foreign ministry statement, Dorji said that Bhutan and China have traditional ties and thanked China for its strong support and assistance to Bhutan.

India and Bhutan are the only two countries with which China has not yet settled border disputes. Beijing has resolved land boundary disputes with all other neighbours. China claims roughly 764 sqkm in the northwestern and central regions of Bhutan. Originally, the disputes were part of border negotiations between India and China. But direct dialogues between China and Bhutan started in 1984.

Since then, over 24 rounds of talks and 12 rounds of expert-level meetings have taken place, which focused on Jakarlung and Pasamlung areas in north Bhutan and the Doklam area in west Bhutan. China has stepped up efforts to establish full-fledged diplomatic ties with Bhutan and to expedite negotiations to reach a settlement on border disputes.