Bhutan may emerge as a fresh reason for disputes between neighbours India and China, the latest geopolitical developments indicate. Media reports have mentioned that Beijing has been infesting settlements of villages across the disputed regions, even though China promised to attempt to settle border disputes with Bhutan.&nbsp;

Nepal-based online magazine Epardafas reported that China apparently brought up around 200 structures in the region with more constructions underway.&nbsp;

China and Bhutan signed a Memorandum of Understanding in October 2021, when Beijing said that it will try to settle the dispute with Bhutan through the "Roadmap for Expediting the Bhutan-China Boundary Negotiation". The deal included the process of negotiations.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, a fresh round of talks was held between China and Bhutan. The discussions reportedly aimed at resolving the decades-old border dispute.&nbsp;

Both sides called the agreement a "positive consensus" to push forward the implementation of the agreement for expediting negotiations to settle their border disputes. They reportedly also agreed to "increase the frequency" of their talks.&nbsp;

But China, which claims a significant amount of territory on Bhutan's land as its own, has still been reportedly infesting villages across Bhutan.&nbsp;Beijing claims a part of Bhutanese territory, including Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, with which it does not even share a contiguous border.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Rural China is running out of coffins because Covid-related death toll is increasing&nbsp;

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Meanwhile, a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP) noted that the recent talks between China and Bhutan might become a headache for India.&nbsp;

SCMP report mentioned that after the conflict-solving talks, India's foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra visited the Buddhist kingdom on the Himalayas' eastern edge. Kwatra also held meetings with the Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Prime Minister Lotay Tshering. The move could mean that India has "concerns" about the talks and is also panicking. &nbsp;

As quoted by SCMP, Amit Ranjan, a research fellow at the National University of Singapore's Institute of South Asian Studies, said: "That New Delhi had concerns (about the talks) was clear from the fact that it dispatched its foreign secretary to Bhutan days after the boundary talks."&nbsp;

Ranjan further said, "While the press release may not mention it, I am certain that New Delhi would have communicated its concerns on the border talks to Thimphu."&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Bhutan may emerge as a fresh reason for disputes between neighbours India and China, the latest geopolitical developments indicate. Media reports have mentioned that Beijing has been infesting settlements of villages across the disputed regions, even though China promised to attempt to settle border disputes with Bhutan.

Bhutan may emerge as a fresh reason for disputes between neighbours India and China, the latest geopolitical developments indicate. Media reports have mentioned that Beijing has been infesting settlements of villages across the disputed regions, even though China promised to attempt to settle border disputes with Bhutan. Nepal-based online magazine Epardafas reported that China apparently brought up around 200 structures in the region with more constructions underway. China and Bhutan signed a Memorandum of Understanding in October 2021, when Beijing said that it will try to settle the dispute with Bhutan through the "Roadmap for Expediting the Bhutan-China Boundary Negotiation". The deal included the process of negotiations. Earlier this month, a fresh round of talks was held between China and Bhutan. The discussions reportedly aimed at resolving the decades-old border dispute. Both sides called the agreement a "positive consensus" to push forward the implementation of the agreement for expediting negotiations to settle their border disputes. They reportedly also agreed to "increase the frequency" of their talks. But China, which claims a significant amount of territory on Bhutan's land as its own, has still been reportedly infesting villages across Bhutan. Beijing claims a part of Bhutanese territory, including Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, with which it does not even share a contiguous border. WATCH | Rural China is running out of coffins because Covid-related death toll is increasing × Meanwhile, a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP) noted that the recent talks between China and Bhutan might become a headache for India. SCMP report mentioned that after the conflict-solving talks, India's foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra visited the Buddhist kingdom on the Himalayas' eastern edge. Kwatra also held meetings with the Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Prime Minister Lotay Tshering. The move could mean that India has "concerns" about the talks and is also panicking. As quoted by SCMP, Amit Ranjan, a research fellow at the National University of Singapore's Institute of South Asian Studies, said: "That New Delhi had concerns (about the talks) was clear from the fact that it dispatched its foreign secretary to Bhutan days after the boundary talks." Ranjan further said, "While the press release may not mention it, I am certain that New Delhi would have communicated its concerns on the border talks to Thimphu." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Are China and Bhutan talks on resolving border dispute a headache for India?

China and Bhutan have reached a "positive consensus" to push forward the implementation of the agreement to expedite negotiations to settle their border dispute through a three-step roadmap. The 11th Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on the China-Bhutan Boundary Issues was held in China's Kunming city from January 10 to 13, according to a joint statement issued by both countries.

Bhutan shares a 477 km-long border with China and the two countries held 24 rounds of boundary talks in a bid to resolve the border dispute.

China and Bhutan don't have diplomatic relations but maintain contact through periodic visits by officials.

India and Bhutan are the two countries with whom China is yet to finalise the border agreements, while Beijing resolved the boundary disputes with 12 other neighbours.

After&nbsp;the 11th EGM, the two sides said in a joint statement issued on Friday, "In a frank, cordial and constructive atmosphere, had an in-depth exchange of views on implementing the MOU on the Three-Step Roadmap for Expediting the China-Bhutan Boundary Negotiations, and reached a positive consensus."&nbsp; 
 
"The two sides agreed to simultaneously push forward the implementation of all the steps of the Three-Step Roadmap," it said, adding that the two sides also agreed to increase the frequency of the EGMs and to "keep contact through diplomatic channels on holding the 25th Round of China-Bhutan Boundary talks as soon as possible on mutually convenient dates".

"In a show of goodwill and friendship, the Chinese government donated a batch of supplies to Bhutan, and the Bhutanese side expressed appreciation. The two sides held a brief handover ceremony during the meeting," the statement said without providing details of the assistance.

Both countries signed an MOU for Expediting the China-Bhutan Boundary Negotiation in 2021 firming up a three-step roadmap to speed up border talks and establishment of diplomatic ties.

The Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Jianghao, who signed the agreement, said he "believes that the MoU signed today will make a meaningful contribution to speeding up the negotiation on demarcation and promoting the process of establishing diplomatic ties between the two countries".

China in recent years stepped efforts to establish diplomatic contacts with Bhutan and to expedite negotiations to reach a settlement for the vexed border dispute which was exasperated by Beijing's attempts to claim Doklam despite Thimphu's assertions that the area belonged to it.

China's attempt to build a road in the Doklam plateau in 2017 resulted in a major India-China standoff, triggering tensions between the two neighbours.

India had strongly opposed the construction of the road by the Chinese military at the Doklam tri-junction as it would have impacted its overall security interests since it runs close to the narrow Siliguri Corridor also known as the Chicken Neck connecting India with its north-east. The standoff ended after Beijing dropped its plan to build the road.

Also in 2020, China made a surprising claim on Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary in Bhutan at the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council by opposing funding for the project.

Bhutan had lodged a demarche to the Chinese Embassy in India over China's claim over the sanctuary made at the GEF meeting.

China has also ramped up efforts to develop the villages located along borders with India and Bhutan and Nepal with infrastructure development and preferential policies.

The Chinese delegation at the Kunming EGM talks was led by Hong Liang, Director-General of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China while the Bhutanese delegation was led by Dasho Letho Tobdhen Tangbi, Secretary of the International Boundaries of Bhutan.

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China and Bhutan have reached a "positive consensus" to push forward the implementation of the agreement to expedite negotiations to settle their border dispute through a three-step roadmap.

China and Bhutan have reached a "positive consensus" to push forward the implementation of the agreement to expedite negotiations to settle their border dispute through a three-step roadmap. The 11th Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on the China-Bhutan Boundary Issues was held in China's Kunming city from January 10 to 13, according to a joint statement issued by both countries. Bhutan shares a 477 km-long border with China and the two countries held 24 rounds of boundary talks in a bid to resolve the border dispute. China and Bhutan don't have diplomatic relations but maintain contact through periodic visits by officials. India and Bhutan are the two countries with whom China is yet to finalise the border agreements, while Beijing resolved the boundary disputes with 12 other neighbours. After the 11th EGM, the two sides said in a joint statement issued on Friday, "In a frank, cordial and constructive atmosphere, had an in-depth exchange of views on implementing the MOU on the Three-Step Roadmap for Expediting the China-Bhutan Boundary Negotiations, and reached a positive consensus." "The two sides agreed to simultaneously push forward the implementation of all the steps of the Three-Step Roadmap," it said, adding that the two sides also agreed to increase the frequency of the EGMs and to "keep contact through diplomatic channels on holding the 25th Round of China-Bhutan Boundary talks as soon as possible on mutually convenient dates". "In a show of goodwill and friendship, the Chinese government donated a batch of supplies to Bhutan, and the Bhutanese side expressed appreciation. The two sides held a brief handover ceremony during the meeting," the statement said without providing details of the assistance. Both countries signed an MOU for Expediting the China-Bhutan Boundary Negotiation in 2021 firming up a three-step roadmap to speed up border talks and establishment of diplomatic ties. The Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Jianghao, who signed the agreement, said he "believes that the MoU signed today will make a meaningful contribution to speeding up the negotiation on demarcation and promoting the process of establishing diplomatic ties between the two countries". China in recent years stepped efforts to establish diplomatic contacts with Bhutan and to expedite negotiations to reach a settlement for the vexed border dispute which was exasperated by Beijing's attempts to claim Doklam despite Thimphu's assertions that the area belonged to it. China's attempt to build a road in the Doklam plateau in 2017 resulted in a major India-China standoff, triggering tensions between the two neighbours. India had strongly opposed the construction of the road by the Chinese military at the Doklam tri-junction as it would have impacted its overall security interests since it runs close to the narrow Siliguri Corridor also known as the Chicken Neck connecting India with its north-east. The standoff ended after Beijing dropped its plan to build the road. Also in 2020, China made a surprising claim on Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary in Bhutan at the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council by opposing funding for the project. Bhutan had lodged a demarche to the Chinese Embassy in India over China's claim over the sanctuary made at the GEF meeting. China has also ramped up efforts to develop the villages located along borders with India and Bhutan and Nepal with infrastructure development and preferential policies. The Chinese delegation at the Kunming EGM talks was led by Hong Liang, Director-General of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China while the Bhutanese delegation was led by Dasho Letho Tobdhen Tangbi, Secretary of the International Boundaries of Bhutan. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

China, Bhutan agree to expedite negotiations to resolve border dispute

Bhutan and China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as a three-step roadmap to expedite boundary talks.

Bhutan shares a border with China that is over 400-km-long. Both nations have held 24 rounds of military talks to resolve their boundary dispute.

The country believes the MoU on the three-step roadmap will provide a fresh impetus to the boundary talks.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-all-the-countries-with-which-china-is-in-a-territorial-dispute-419867">In Pics: All the countries with which China is in a territorial dispute</a>

The Bhutanese foreign ministry said "The negotiations which have been conducted in a spirit of understanding and accommodation have been guided by the 1988 Joint Communique on the Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the Boundary and the 1998 agreement on the maintenance of peace, tranquillity, and status quo in the Bhutan-China Border areas.''

"During the 10th Expert Group Meeting in Kunming in April this year, the two sides agreed on a three-step roadmap that will build on the 1988 Guiding Principles and help to expedite the ongoing boundary negotiations," it said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-conflict-arunachal-pradesh-integral-and-inalienable-part-of-india-mea-rebuffs-china-420399" hreflang="en">India-China conflict | Arunachal Pradesh integral and inalienable part of India: MEA rebuffs China</a>

The pact between the two countries comes as India and China are locked in a standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).&nbsp;

In response, Arindam Bagchi, the Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson, said ''We have noted the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bhutan and China today. You are aware that Bhutan and China have been holding boundary negotiations since 1984. India has similarly been holding boundary negotiations with China.''

Bhutan and China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as a three-step roadmap to expedite boundary talks. Bhutan shares a border with China that is over 400-km-long.

Bhutan and China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as a three-step roadmap to expedite boundary talks. Bhutan shares a border with China that is over 400-km-long. Both nations have held 24 rounds of military talks to resolve their boundary dispute. The country believes the MoU on the three-step roadmap will provide a fresh impetus to the boundary talks. Also see | In Pics: All the countries with which China is in a territorial dispute The Bhutanese foreign ministry said "The negotiations which have been conducted in a spirit of understanding and accommodation have been guided by the 1988 Joint Communique on the Guiding Principles for the Settlement of the Boundary and the 1998 agreement on the maintenance of peace, tranquillity, and status quo in the Bhutan-China Border areas.'' "During the 10th Expert Group Meeting in Kunming in April this year, the two sides agreed on a three-step roadmap that will build on the 1988 Guiding Principles and help to expedite the ongoing boundary negotiations," it said. Also read | India-China conflict | Arunachal Pradesh integral and inalienable part of India: MEA rebuffs China The pact between the two countries comes as India and China are locked in a standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). In response, Arindam Bagchi, the Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson, said ''We have noted the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bhutan and China today. You are aware that Bhutan and China have been holding boundary negotiations since 1984. India has similarly been holding boundary negotiations with China.''

Bhutan and China sign MoU to expedite boundary talks

China has evinced interest in establishing diplomatic ties with Bhutan as the two countries held 24th round of boundary talks here to resolve their border dispute. 
 
China hopes to work with Bhutan for early establishment of diplomatic relations and solution to boundary issues, Chinese vice president Li Yuanchao said when the visiting Bhutan&#39;s foreign minister Damcho Dorji called on him yesterday. 
 
Dorji is in China to attend the 24th round of boundary talks. 
 
&quot;China and Bhutan have yet to establish diplomatic ties but have always respected each other and treated each other as equals,&quot; state-run Xinhua news agency quoted Li as saying. 
 
Dorji said Bhutan expects to strengthen cooperation with China in various fields and looks forward to settling the boundary issue at an early date, the report said. 
 
China has settled border differences with 12 of the 14 land neighbours with boundary disputes pending with India and Bhutan, which had close relations.&nbsp; 
 
India and China have held 19 round of Special Representatives talks to resolve their bounder disputes. &nbsp; 
Strategically placed between India and Tibet, Thimphu remained aloof since 1951 after China took firm control of Tibet, which formed borders with Bhutan. 
 
Relations between Beijing and Thimphu remained traditionally strained following border dispute while the two countries maintained friendly exchanges and contacts in recent years. 
 
In a surprise move in 2012, then Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Bhutanese counterpart Jigmi Y Thinley met on the sidelines of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development at Rio De Janeiro and expressed their willingness to establish diplomatic relations between the two countries and discussed measures to speed up efforts resolve border dispute and to step up bilateral ties. 
 
But Thimphu did not pursue the move apparently to avoid creating any misunderstanding in its close ties with India. 
 
China and Bhutan, however, continue their exchanges with visits by high level diplomats besides a dialogue to resolve the border dispute. 
 
(AFP)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Bhutan's foreign minister Damcho Dorji is in China as two nations hold 24th round of boundary talks in a bid to resolve disputes

China has evinced interest in establishing diplomatic ties with Bhutan as the two countries held 24th round of boundary talks here to resolve their border dispute. China hopes to work with Bhutan for early establishment of diplomatic relations and solution to boundary issues, Chinese vice president Li Yuanchao said when the visiting Bhutan's foreign minister Damcho Dorji called on him yesterday. Dorji is in China to attend the 24th round of boundary talks. "China and Bhutan have yet to establish diplomatic ties but have always respected each other and treated each other as equals," state-run Xinhua news agency quoted Li as saying. Dorji said Bhutan expects to strengthen cooperation with China in various fields and looks forward to settling the boundary issue at an early date, the report said. China has settled border differences with 12 of the 14 land neighbours with boundary disputes pending with India and Bhutan, which had close relations. India and China have held 19 round of Special Representatives talks to resolve their bounder disputes. Strategically placed between India and Tibet, Thimphu remained aloof since 1951 after China took firm control of Tibet, which formed borders with Bhutan. Relations between Beijing and Thimphu remained traditionally strained following border dispute while the two countries maintained friendly exchanges and contacts in recent years. In a surprise move in 2012, then Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Bhutanese counterpart Jigmi Y Thinley met on the sidelines of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development at Rio De Janeiro and expressed their willingness to establish diplomatic relations between the two countries and discussed measures to speed up efforts resolve border dispute and to step up bilateral ties. But Thimphu did not pursue the move apparently to avoid creating any misunderstanding in its close ties with India. China and Bhutan, however, continue their exchanges with visits by high level diplomats besides a dialogue to resolve the border dispute. (AFP)

China, Bhutan look forward to settling boundary issues?