India-friendly Bhutan walks tightrope as it seeks to end border row with ‘aggressive China’
- Bhutan and China’s long-running talks to resolve their border feud is a matter of strategic interest to India, given the implications for regional security
- While Bhutan relies on India economically, Delhi also needs to ensure Thimpu remains an ally amid Beijing’s increasing presence and influence in the kingdom, analysts say
Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay’s recent visit to India, taking place amid ongoing border negotiations with China, underscores the kingdom’s careful diplomatic strategy aimed at strengthening its ties with New Delhi without provoking Beijing, analysts have said.
Bhutan and China have been engaged in long-running talks to resolve their border dispute, a matter of strategic interest to India given its implications for regional security.
According to Aditya Gowdara Shivamurthy, an associate fellow with Observer Research Foundation’s Strategic Studies Programme, Bhutan was currently at a “crossroads”.
“On one hand, Bhutan is trying to demarcate its borders with its aggressive northern neighbour China,” Shivamurthy said. “On the other hand, it is facing an economic crisis and mass migration, and needs India’s support and collaboration more than any other time in the past.”
India has two significant tri-junction points involving Bhutan and China. One is in the west, which includes Doklam, and the other is in the east, marking the eastern terminus of the McMahon Line that Delhi uses to define the Sino-Indian border.
China’s increasing presence and influence in Bhutan could pose a threat to India’s security interests.
