Bhutan’s Prime Minister Lotay Tshering said China has an equal say in resolving the Doklam plateau dispute, marking a significant shift in the ongoing dispute over the strategically important area. The plateau lies at the tri-junction of India, China, and Bhutan and has been a source of tension between the three countries since the 2017 Doklam standoff.
In a recent interview with Belgian Daily La Libre, Tshering said, “It is not up to Bhutan alone to solve the problem. There are three of us. There is no big or small country, there are three equal countries, each counting for a third.”
China has constructed villages and roads within Bhutanese territory near the plateau, posing challenges for India, which opposes Chinese expansion in Doklam due to its proximity to India’s strategic Siliguri corridor.
Tshering’s statement indicates Thimphu’s willingness to negotiate the tri-junction’s status in Doklam between India, China, and Bhutan, which lies at the heart of the dispute.
China aims to shift the tri-junction southward, which would make the entire Doklam plateau legally part of China, a move that India rejects.
In 2017, Indian and Chinese soldiers were involved in a tense standoff lasting more than two months. Indian soldiers entered the Doklam plateau to prevent China from extending an illegally constructed road towards Mount Gipmochi and the adjoining Jhampheri ridge. The Indian Army asserts that allowing the Chinese Army to reach Jhampheri would give them a clear line of sight to the Siliguri corridor.
Bhutan has historically maintained close relations with India, but the recent statement by its Prime Minister suggests that Thimphu may be taking a more pragmatic approach to the Doklam dispute, potentially at India’s expense.
Tshering’s statement contrasted with his 2019 remarks to The Hindu, where he emphasized that no side should unilaterally act near the existing trijunction point.
China’s construction activity near the Doklam plateau has increased, including building a bridge across the Amu Chu river. Tshering’s recent remarks suggested that Thimphu may have limited options to halt China’s incremental encroachment on Bhutanese territory, not only along its western frontiers near Doklam but also to the north in the Jakarlung and Pasamlung Valleys.
The disputed western areas measure approximately 270 square km, while the northern disputed areas span nearly 500 square km.
The outcome of the boundary talks and resulting territorial agreements between China and Bhutan could have significant implications for the strategic dynamics in the region, particularly between India and China. New Delhi is closely monitoring the situation and the placement of any such dividing line on a map.
The Bhutanese Prime Minister’s acknowledgment of China’s role in resolving the Doklam dispute and willingness to negotiate the tri-junction’s status adds a new layer of complexity to the already intricate geopolitical issue involving the interests of Bhutan, China, and India.
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