By J R Mukherjee
India it appears was in for a rude shock at the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Bhutan and China on the bilateral boundary. The Three-Step Roadmap, signed in October 2021, set the stage for this development.
The Doklam Dimension
The most strategically sensitive aspect of the Sino-Bhutan boundary talks concerns the Doklam plateau, which India considers vital to the security of the Siliguri Corridor. Any Chinese territorial gains in this area would bring Chinese forces closer to this strategic chokepoint.
India’s Response
India has consistently maintained that the Bhutan-China boundary talks must not impinge on India’s strategic interests. The close India-Bhutan relationship, underpinned by the 1949 Treaty of Friendship, gives India significant influence over Bhutan’s foreign policy.
Implications
The Sino-Bhutan MoU represents a significant diplomatic development with direct implications for India’s security, underscoring the need for India to deepen its engagement with Bhutan and develop a comprehensive strategy for managing China’s growing influence in the Himalayan neighbourhood.