India, Bhutan and Doklam

In the midst of the stand-off between Indian and Chinese troops at Doklam tri-junction, India and Bhutan reaffirmed their special relationship during a bilateral meeting between Exterl Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Bhutanese counterpart Damcho Dorji in Kathmandu, on the sidelines of a meeting of ‘BIMSTEC’ foreign ministers.

According to sources, the meeting focused on many areas of bilateral relations, including the ongoing Doklam stand-off. The meeting was seen as a message to Chi that India and Bhutan continue to stay on the same page even as Beijing continues to unleash its tirade.

Emerging from the meeting, the Bhutanese Foreign Minister said that the current stand-off in Doklam will be sorted out peacefully. Both sides should be satisfied with the outcome.

After Chi’s propaganda machinery put out statements that Bhutan had accepted that Doklam belonged to Chi, the Bhutanese Government denied that it had relinquished claim or control over Doklam. The India-Chi stand-off in Doklam is almost two months old with neither side showing any signs of backing down. For both the countries, the cost of unilateral withdrawal is very high.

Satish Kumar Sarma,

Kalanpur, Biswath Chariali.