New Delhi: Bhutan and China have agreed to establish a joint technical team and to take “simultaneous steps” to expedite the implementation of a ‘three-step roadmap’ that will lead to the demarcation of boundary.
This decision was conveyed in a joint press release which was issued after the 13th expert group meeting (EGM) on the China-Bhutan issue, held in Beijing from August 21 to 24. This was the third meeting of the expert group held this year.
China asserts claims over roughly 764 square kilometre in the northwestern and central regions of Bhutan.
Originally, the dispute was part of border negotiations between India and China. However, direct dialogues between China and Bhutan were initiated in 1984. Since then, over 24 rounds of border talks and 12 rounds of expert-level meetings have taken place.
The joint press noted that based on the consensus reached at the previous expert group meeting, the two sides had “candid, friendly and constructive discussions” on implementing a memorandum of understanding on the three-step roadmap.
“One of the important outcomes of the 13th EGM is the establishment of the Joint Technical Team on the Delimitation of China-Bhutan Boundary which held its first meeting on the sidelines of the 13th EGM,” said the statement.
It added that both sides agreed to “expedite and take simultaneous steps to implement the ‘three-step road map’”.
Bhutan does not have direct diplomatic relations with China. The joint press release added that the meeting was held “in a warm and friendly atmosphere in keeping with the ties of friendship and cooperation between China and Bhutan”.
They also agreed to hold the next round of expert group meeting “as soon as possible” and maintain communication on holding the 25th Round of China-Bhutan Boundary Talks
In an interview with a Belgian newspaper earlier this year, Bhutan prime minister Lotay Tshering reiterated that demarcation of the Bhutan-China boundary would be settled at an early date, but the tri-junction point with India would be dealt separately with the inclusion of India.
“Doklam is a junction point between India, China and Bhutan. It is not up to Bhutan alone to fix the problem. There are three of us. There is no big or small country; all are three equal countries, each counting for one-third,” said Tshering.
These talks on the tri-junction can only start once India and China have resolved their differences along their borders. “We are ready. We can discuss this as soon as the other two parties are ready. India and China have problems all along their border. We are waiting to see how they will settle their differences,” he added.