BEIJING: In a sign of the hardening of the geostrategic environment in India’s neighbourhood, China on Monday said it was ready to conclude boundary negotiations and establish diplomatic relations with Bhutan as soon as possible.
“The two sides should seize historical opportunities, complete the important process as soon as possible and designate and develop the friendly relations between the two countries in legal form,” said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday in a meeting with Bhutanese Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji, who is in China for boundary talks.
Wang’s observations came over a month after China and Bhutan set up a ‘Joint Technical Group’ (JTG) on delimitation of the China-Bhutan boundary as part of Beijing’s efforts to speed up the resolution of the boundary issue.
China quoted Bhutan Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji as saying, “Bhutan is willing to work with China to strive for an early settlement of the boundary question and advance the political process of establishing diplomatic ties.”
The decision to set up the JTG was taken at an ‘Expert Group Meeting’ (EGM) on China-Bhutan Boundary Issues held in Beijing from August 21 to 24. The meeting of the JTG was held on the concluding day of the 13th EGM itself.
However, to India’s relief, the 25th Round of China-Bhutan Boundary Talks has still not taken place despite intentions expressed at the 12th EGM held on May 23 in Thimphu. These talks, of great interest to India, have not taken place since 2016.
Besides setting up a JTG, the 13th EGM held in August saw “constructive discussions on continuously implementing the MoU on the Three-Step Road Map for Expediting the China-Bhutan Boundary Negotiations” with both sides agreeing to “expedite and take simultaneous steps to implement the Three-Step Road Map.”
Of the 14 countries sharing their land borders with China, 12 have settled their boundaries. Of the two standouts, Bhutan is currently engaged in resolving its boundary with China while India’s issue in this regard is stalemated.