Why are the talks this week significant?
The Boundary talks between Bhutan and China were held after a gap of seven years.
Bhutan and the Tibetan Autonomous Region share a contiguous border to Bhutan’s north and west.
Since 1984, Bhutan and China had held 24 rounds of talks to resolve the disputes until 2016.
The 25th round appeared to have been held up after the Doklam Standoff between Indian and Chinese armies in 2017.
Why are the talks this week significant?
The two sides used the pause to hold talks, especially after China threatened to open a new front for a border dispute to Bhutan’s east.
What is the 3-Step Roadmap?
The 3-Step roadmap MoU signed by the Bhutanese Foreign Minister and Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister in 2021.
3 – step road established to implement the roadmap by the Expert Group in August are hoping to draw a line clearly delineating Bhutanese and Chinese territory for the first time.
The 3-Step Roadmap involves,
Agreeing to the border
Visiting the sites on the ground
Formally demarcating the boundary.
Why is India watching closely?
India’s ties with China over the standoff at the LAC from 2020.
Any hint of closer ties between China and one of its closest neighbours is a cause for worry.
New Delhi is watching the demarcation discussions over Doklam, as amongst the proposals China has placed.
The agreement to “swap” areas in Doklam under Bhutanese control with areas in Jakarlung and Pasamlung which China claims.
The Doklam trijunction cuts very close to India’s Siliguri corridor.
India’s challenges with Chinese projects and funding in other neighbouring countries.
Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives, any Chinese presence in a small country like Bhutan would be problematic.
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