Concerned that any decision Bhutan might take to resolve its long-pending boundary dispute with China will have huge security implications for India, New Delhi has indicated to Thimphu that it needs to work on settling the issue.
External affairs minister Salman Khurshid, who is on a two-day official visit to Bhutan, said here on Monday: “I explained to them how we have carefully, seriously but with a positive, open mind worked to resolve our issues with China and how we have come a long way towards a very meaningful relationship with China today.”
The minister added; “ As far as Bhutan is concerned, they have had their own pace of interface and interaction with China on issues that are pending.”
An anxious India has been keeping a close watch on the unsuccessful efforts by Thimphu and Beijing to resolve their differences on the boundary issue.
Bhutan’s is part of the strategically significant Chumbi Valley tri–junction of which India and China are also a part. New Delhi fears that if Thimphu capitulates to Beijing’s claims on more territory in the tri-junction, the Chinese will be too close to the Siliguri corridor, a crucial link to India’s North-east.
During the talks between Mr Khurshid with the kingdom’s minister-in-charge of foreign affairs, Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, the two sides also agreed to put in place an annual dialogue. Mr Khurshid said though the leaders and officials of the two countries meet from time to time, “structured consultations” would be useful too. However, at what level this dialogue would be is yet to be decided, the minister added.
Mr Khurshid also emphasised that India and Bhutan now need to go beyond their development partnership to becoming economic partners. He also assured Bhutan of continuing Indian assistance for their hydro-power projects.
Describing Bhutan as a “friend in the neighbourhood”, Mr Khurshid also called on Bhutanese Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley.