Considerable progress has been made towards the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Bhutan following a visit to Beijing by Bhutanese Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji.
Bhutan is a small Himalayan kingdom bordering both China and India, with a population of a little over 727,000 and a territory of 14,824 square miles. Its border with China is undelineated and the purpose of Dorji’s visit was for boundary talks. This, however, is not the reason for the failure to establish diplomatic relations to date. Despite the unresolved territorial issue, China and Bhutan concluded an agreement in 1998 on border peace and tranquillity, the first bilateral agreement between the two countries. Rather, the issue has been that India long maintained an effective protectorate, or in effect a neo-colonial relationship, with regard to Bhutan’s foreign relations. India, in turn, acquired this jurisdiction from British colonialism on obtaining its own independence. Thus, it was only in 1968 that Bhutan established its first diplomatic relations with any country – with India, followed by Bangladesh in 1973. It only began the process of establishing further diplomatic relations with other countries in 1983 and still does not have formal relations with any of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.
It was only in 2007 that India finally made a move towards formally recognising Bhutan’s right to independently develop its foreign relations. In February 2007, the “Indo-Bhutan Friendship Treaty” was revised. Whereas the Treaty of 1949, in Article 2 stated: “The Government of India undertakes to exercise no interference in the internal administration of Bhutan. On its part the Government of Bhutan agrees to be guided by the advice of the Government of India in regard to its external relations,” the revised treaty states, “In keeping with the abiding ties of close friendship and cooperation between Bhutan and India, the Government of the Kingdom of Bhutan and the Government of the Republic of India shall cooperate closely with each other on issues relating to their national interests. Neither government shall allow the use of its territory for activities harmful to the national security and interest of the other.” Given India’s complex regional alignments, this can still function as a pretext for Indian interference and a constraint on Bhutanese independence and sovereignty.
During Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji’s visit, his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in an October 25 meeting, told him that, China is ready to conclude boundary negotiations and establish diplomatic relations with Bhutan as soon as possible. Wang said China and Bhutan are linked by mountains and rivers and enjoy a profound traditional friendship, adding that the conclusion of boundary negotiations and the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries fully serves the long-term and fundamental interests of Bhutan.
He also said that China has always placed neighborhood diplomacy at the top of its overall diplomatic architecture, and China respects the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries.
Tandi Dorji thanked China for its strong support and assistance to Bhutan, saying that Bhutan firmly upholds the one-China principle.
The following day, Dorji met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, who said that although the two countries have not yet established diplomatic relations, they have long maintained friendly exchanges.
“China always respects Bhutan’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and is willing to strengthen exchanges at all levels and in all fields, expand practical cooperation on the economy, trade, culture and tourism, and accelerate the boundary demarcation process and the establishment of diplomatic relations with Bhutan to bring more benefits to the two countries and the two peoples,” he added.
Tandi Dorji said that both sides have firm determination and a sincere desire to demarcate their boundaries and establish diplomatic relations at an early date. Bhutan is willing to maintain the sound momentum of cooperation with China in all fields and push for the greater development of bilateral ties.
The following articles were originally published by the Xinhua News Agency.
China aims to establish diplomatic relations with Bhutan soon: FM
BEIJING, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) — China is ready to conclude boundary negotiations and establish diplomatic relations with Bhutan as soon as possible, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Monday.
Wang, also member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Bhutanese Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji who is in China for boundary talks.
Wang said China and Bhutan are linked by mountains and rivers and enjoy a profound traditional friendship, adding that the conclusion of boundary negotiations and the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries fully serves the long-term and fundamental interests of Bhutan.
“The two sides should seize historical opportunities, complete the important process as soon as possible, and designate and develop the friendly relations between the two countries in legal form,” said Wang.
Wang also said that China has always placed neighborhood diplomacy at the top of its overall diplomacy architecture, and China respects the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries.
Tandi Dorji thanked China for its strong support and assistance to Bhutan, saying that Bhutan firmly upholds the one-China principle.
He said, “Bhutan is willing to work with China to strive for an early settlement of the boundary question and advance the political process of establishing diplomatic ties.”
He said that Bhutan greatly appreciates and supports the China-proposed global initiatives — the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) — which bring benefits to all parties, especially neighboring countries, including Bhutan.
Chinese vice president meets Bhutan’s foreign minister
BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) — Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Tuesday met with visiting Bhutanese Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji in Beijing. Both sides agreed to accelerate the boundary demarcation process and the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Han said that China and Bhutan are friendly neighbors sharing mountains and rivers. He said that although the two countries have not yet established diplomatic relations, they have long maintained friendly exchanges.
He said the two countries have promoted positive progress in bilateral ties in recent years, following the resumption of boundary negotiations. Strengthening that friendship and expanding cooperation are in the fundamental interests of the two countries and in the expectations of the two peoples.
“China always respects Bhutan’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and is willing to strengthen exchanges at all levels and in all fields, expand practical cooperation on the economy, trade, culture and tourism, and accelerate the boundary demarcation process and the establishment of diplomatic relations with Bhutan to bring more benefits to the two countries and the two peoples,” Han said.
Tandi Dorji said that the Bhutanese government attaches great importance to the development of relations with China and abides firmly by the one-China principle. Both sides have firm determination and a sincere desire to demarcate their boundaries and establish diplomatic relations at an early date. Bhutan is willing to maintain the sound momentum of cooperation with China in all fields and push for the greater development of bilateral ties.
