Pranab thwarts Bhutan-China move
Shamsuddin Ahmed
In all probability India has succeeded in preventing China-Bhutan move to settle their border disputes. President Pranab Mukherjee dashed to Thimpu on November 7 to ask the Bhutanese leaders not to yield, what the Indian officials said, to the Chinese terms in settling the border disputes as it would jeopardize India's vital security interest.
President Mukherjee's visit to the tiny Himalyan kingdom, known as protectorate of Delhi and frontline of the Indian army, came within five months Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first trip outside the country after taking over power. This shows the importance India attached to Bhutan. In fact, the progress of Bhutan-China talks to resolve the border issues towards normalization of relationship made Delhi uncomfortable.
The Telegraph of Calcutta in a front page article by Charu Sudan Kasturi said the visit of President Mukherjee is about India's anxiety on China-Bhutan border talks. Kasturi recalled that India withdrew subsidy on kerosene/cooking oil supplied to Bhutan on the eve of 2013 election "warn Bhutan against normalizing relations with China."
Thimpu prevented settling disputes with Beijing
Former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Bhutanese counterpart Jigme Thinley meeting on the sideline of Rio Summit in June 2012 expressed willingness to establish formal diplomatic ties between their countries. China, Wen had said, values the traditional friendship between the two nations and respects Bhutan's choice for its development path according to its own national conditions. Reciprocating, Thinley had said Bhutan was willing to settle border issues with China in a cooperative manner, enhance bilateral economic and trade cooperation and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and carry out close communication and coordination in international and regional affairs.
But India thwarted any move to proceed further. President Mukherjee's visit to Bhutan was on the basis of apprehension that Bhutan is going to resolve the border dispute with China. According to Delhi's assessment, China will settle the boundary disputes with Bhutan on its own term. The poor Bhutan would not be able decline the claim of China. Beijing wants to expand its footprint on Chumbi Valley, extending its authority to the western border with Bhutan. And any concessions on that will bring the Shilliguri Corridor under China'sthreat. The narrow corridor is the only gateway of India to its northeastern states. Bhutan's disputed territory with China also borders Sikkim and Arunachal. Any compromise on these areas will put India in a strategic disadvantageous position.
President Mukherjee praised the leadership of Bhutan for its cooperation by allowing the Indian army to flush out separatist ULFA and other insurgent outfits operating from the Bhutanese soil in 2003. He hoped SAARC member countries would extend similar cooperation in dealing with Indian separatists, Maoist insurgents and terrorism. However, Myanmar, an associate member of SAARC, had earlier turned down Indian request for allowing its army inside its territory from where separatists of northeast India have allegedly been operating.
India controls Bhutan's foreign ties: Kuensel
Has Indian President demanded of the Bhutan government not to settle the border dispute with China, questioned commentator Sangey of Bhutan's Haa district where Indian troops are stationed. He wrote in daily Kuensel on November 11 that India had been controlling the Sino-Bhutan international boundary talks through its iron grip on landlocked Bhutan's economic and communication dependence on India. China has been sincere and positive to settle the disputes, but Bhutan is delaying progress at the behest of India. Once the border disputes are settled, Bhutan and China would advance for establishing diplomatic relations.
A diplomatic level relationship with China would consolidate the sovereign status of Bhutan. Bhutan would no longer act as political pawn or surrogate for India in sensitive international politics. That is why Delhi wants to prevent Bhutan establishing diplomatic and cooperative relationship with China. But how long, questioned Sangey. The people of Bhutan have already started feeling that neighbouring countries including Nepal are developing in cooperation with and financial assistance from China. India itself is receiving huge investment and financial assistance from China.
It is said despite diplomatic ties with China, India will remain Bhutan's most desired benefactor. Geographical access, language and social behaviour naturally bring Bhutan closer to India. So, India will be more dominant than China in Bhutan's priority. India and some Western countries and their allies in South East Asia including Australia and Japan do not want China to develop progressive relationship with Bhutan. But all these countries have gone all out to develop their own political and economic ties with China.
'Fall out of Delhi's China phobia'
Bhutan is the only SAARC country and maybe the only UN member which does not enjoy respectable status relationship with its immediate northern neighbour China. Formalization of diplomatic relations with China will certainly better secure and exhibit Bhutan's sovereignty.
The reality is that India does no longer enjoy the trust of its neighbours. When Delhi looks eastwards to Burma it sees China's strong presence, when it gazes south towards Sri Lanka it sees a growing relationship that has led to China building ports and to the west it is all too aware of China's close ties with Pakistan. Indeed, China has been increasing its interaction with countries across the region. Although Bhutan has no diplomatic relation with China, the number Chinese tourists visiting Bhutan has increased manifold over the years.
Holiday
Shamsuddin Ahmed
In all probability India has succeeded in preventing China-Bhutan move to settle their border disputes. President Pranab Mukherjee dashed to Thimpu on November 7 to ask the Bhutanese leaders not to yield, what the Indian officials said, to the Chinese terms in settling the border disputes as it would jeopardize India's vital security interest.
President Mukherjee's visit to the tiny Himalyan kingdom, known as protectorate of Delhi and frontline of the Indian army, came within five months Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first trip outside the country after taking over power. This shows the importance India attached to Bhutan. In fact, the progress of Bhutan-China talks to resolve the border issues towards normalization of relationship made Delhi uncomfortable.
The Telegraph of Calcutta in a front page article by Charu Sudan Kasturi said the visit of President Mukherjee is about India's anxiety on China-Bhutan border talks. Kasturi recalled that India withdrew subsidy on kerosene/cooking oil supplied to Bhutan on the eve of 2013 election "warn Bhutan against normalizing relations with China."
Thimpu prevented settling disputes with Beijing
Former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Bhutanese counterpart Jigme Thinley meeting on the sideline of Rio Summit in June 2012 expressed willingness to establish formal diplomatic ties between their countries. China, Wen had said, values the traditional friendship between the two nations and respects Bhutan's choice for its development path according to its own national conditions. Reciprocating, Thinley had said Bhutan was willing to settle border issues with China in a cooperative manner, enhance bilateral economic and trade cooperation and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and carry out close communication and coordination in international and regional affairs.
But India thwarted any move to proceed further. President Mukherjee's visit to Bhutan was on the basis of apprehension that Bhutan is going to resolve the border dispute with China. According to Delhi's assessment, China will settle the boundary disputes with Bhutan on its own term. The poor Bhutan would not be able decline the claim of China. Beijing wants to expand its footprint on Chumbi Valley, extending its authority to the western border with Bhutan. And any concessions on that will bring the Shilliguri Corridor under China'sthreat. The narrow corridor is the only gateway of India to its northeastern states. Bhutan's disputed territory with China also borders Sikkim and Arunachal. Any compromise on these areas will put India in a strategic disadvantageous position.
President Mukherjee praised the leadership of Bhutan for its cooperation by allowing the Indian army to flush out separatist ULFA and other insurgent outfits operating from the Bhutanese soil in 2003. He hoped SAARC member countries would extend similar cooperation in dealing with Indian separatists, Maoist insurgents and terrorism. However, Myanmar, an associate member of SAARC, had earlier turned down Indian request for allowing its army inside its territory from where separatists of northeast India have allegedly been operating.
India controls Bhutan's foreign ties: Kuensel
Has Indian President demanded of the Bhutan government not to settle the border dispute with China, questioned commentator Sangey of Bhutan's Haa district where Indian troops are stationed. He wrote in daily Kuensel on November 11 that India had been controlling the Sino-Bhutan international boundary talks through its iron grip on landlocked Bhutan's economic and communication dependence on India. China has been sincere and positive to settle the disputes, but Bhutan is delaying progress at the behest of India. Once the border disputes are settled, Bhutan and China would advance for establishing diplomatic relations.
A diplomatic level relationship with China would consolidate the sovereign status of Bhutan. Bhutan would no longer act as political pawn or surrogate for India in sensitive international politics. That is why Delhi wants to prevent Bhutan establishing diplomatic and cooperative relationship with China. But how long, questioned Sangey. The people of Bhutan have already started feeling that neighbouring countries including Nepal are developing in cooperation with and financial assistance from China. India itself is receiving huge investment and financial assistance from China.
It is said despite diplomatic ties with China, India will remain Bhutan's most desired benefactor. Geographical access, language and social behaviour naturally bring Bhutan closer to India. So, India will be more dominant than China in Bhutan's priority. India and some Western countries and their allies in South East Asia including Australia and Japan do not want China to develop progressive relationship with Bhutan. But all these countries have gone all out to develop their own political and economic ties with China.
'Fall out of Delhi's China phobia'
Bhutan is the only SAARC country and maybe the only UN member which does not enjoy respectable status relationship with its immediate northern neighbour China. Formalization of diplomatic relations with China will certainly better secure and exhibit Bhutan's sovereignty.
The reality is that India does no longer enjoy the trust of its neighbours. When Delhi looks eastwards to Burma it sees China's strong presence, when it gazes south towards Sri Lanka it sees a growing relationship that has led to China building ports and to the west it is all too aware of China's close ties with Pakistan. Indeed, China has been increasing its interaction with countries across the region. Although Bhutan has no diplomatic relation with China, the number Chinese tourists visiting Bhutan has increased manifold over the years.
Holiday
