Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on Tuesday reiterated India’s position on the determination of the Doklam boundary situated at the Bhutan-India-China tri-junction. Kwatra’s remarks came as visiting Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck held talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Apr 4, 2023 17:21 IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on Tuesday. (Photo: Twitter)
By Geeta Mohan: Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra stated that India was closely following developments that have a bearing on its national interest and would take all necessary measures to safeguard them. His remarks came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on Tuesday.
The Bhutan King began his two-day visit to India on Monday amid some concerns in New Delhi over China’s attempts to expand influence over Thimphu.
In a recent interview, Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering said that China had an equal say in resolving the border dispute in Doklam. The remarks on the Doklam tri-junction were seen by many as the Himalayan nation cosying up to Beijing, though Bhutan maintained that there was no change in its stance on the border dispute.
Vinay Mohan Kwatra reiterated India’s position on the determination of the Doklam tri-junction boundary situated at the Bhutan-India-China tri-junction. Asked about Bhutan PM’s recent remarks on the Doklam issue, the foreign secretary said India and Bhutan remain in close touch on issues relating to shared interests, including security interests.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held talks with Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck focusing on ways to bolster bilateral engagement in a range of areas including economic cooperation.
India and Bhutan agreed to strengthen their economic and developmental partnership, with India providing relevant financial support for Bhutan’s 13th five-year plan and its reform projects. Trade, connectivity, and investment cooperation were also discussed, with a focus on infrastructure connectivity such as rail, air, and digital, as well as inland waterways and people-to-people connectivity.
Both countries also discussed long-term and sustainable trade facilitation measures, as well as new paradigms on energy cooperation, including enhancing existing hydro power and moving towards non-hydro renewable space. The meeting also saw the two countries discussing cooperation in new sectors, including space, start-ups, and STEM education.
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Additionally, India agreed to step up support for Bhutan’s five-year plan, extend an additional stand-by credit facility, and shape long-term arrangements for the export of agricultural commodities from Bhutan. India also assured the supply of critical commodities to Bhutan.
The two countries also agreed to expedite the Kokrajhar-Gelephu rail link project, which would be the first-ever rail link between India and Bhutan.
DOKLAM STANDOFF
The standoff at Doklam tri-junction in 2017 began after China tried to extend a road in an area that Bhutan claimed belonged to it. India had strongly opposed the construction as it would have impacted its overall security interests. The India-China face-off was resolved following several rounds of talks.
In October 2021, Bhutan and China signed an agreement on a “three-step roadmap” to expedite negotiations to resolve their festering boundary dispute.
Bhutan shares an over 400-km-long border with China and the two countries have held over 24 rounds of boundary talks in a bid to resolve the dispute.
(With PTI inputs)
