Bhutan's Foreign Minister's historic visit to China, resuming boundary talks, raises concerns for India's security interests and diplomatic relations.
Unprecedented Bhutan-China Talks
Historic Visit: Bhutan's Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji's visit to China is remarkable. Bhutan and China lack diplomatic ties, making this visit unprecedented.
Boundary Talks Resumed: Talks focused on boundary issues after a seven-year hiatus, marking a significant step forward.
Cooperation Agreement Signed: Both nations signed a cooperation pact, forming a joint technical team for boundary delimitation and demarcation.
India's Concerns and Bhutan's Assurance
India's Wary Stance: India, Bhutan's close ally, is cautious about Bhutan establishing diplomatic ties with China and signing a boundary agreement.
Inevitable Diplomatic Ties: Despite India's concerns, the establishment of diplomatic relations and a boundary agreement between Bhutan and China seems likely.
Bhutan's Assurance to India: Bhutan's Prime Minister assured that any agreement with China will not compromise India's interests.
India's Strategy and Lessons from Doklam Crisis
India's Security Concerns: India aims to safeguard its interests, particularly in preventing China's proximity to the vital Siliguri corridor.
Collaborative Approach with Bhutan: The 2017 Doklam crisis taught India the importance of aligning strategies with Bhutan, rather than expecting compliance from an independent nation.
Balancing Interests: A border agreement addressing Bhutan's concerns while upholding India's interests can be mutually beneficial.