China plans to bring railway to Bhutan border

RAJESH SHARMA, EOI, JAIGAON, 5 JUNE 5, 2023 : At the 12th meeting of the expert group on China –Bhutan boundary dispute held in the end of May, there were discussions on a plan by Beijing to bring the railways to Bhutan’s border with China, it was learnt from sources. 

A joint communiqué issued by the two sides after the meeting held on May 24 and 25 said the two sides expressed confidence in the “three step roadmap” and reiterated the importance of increasing the frequency of expert group meetings to promote greater progress in the implementation of the roadmap.

”China and Bhutan also agreed to hold the next expert group meeting in Beijing as soon as possible. They also agreed to hold the 25th round of border talks at an early and convenient time. 

A release from the Chinese side said that the meeting was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere, demonstrating the “close, friendly and cooperative relationship between China and Bhutan.” 

The Chinese delegation was led by Director General of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of the Foreign Ministry of China Hong Liang while the Bhutanese delegation was led by Secretary of the Indian Boundaries of Bhutan Dasho Letho Tobdhen Tangbi.
Sources said that while there was concern in India about the recent interview by Prime Minister of Bhutan Lotay Tshering in a Belgian newspaper that in the strategic Doklam Plateau China and India had equal stakes and that China was setting up villages near the China – Bhutan border in Chinese territory, Thimphu had kept New Delhi in the loop about the boundary discussions with China under the three-step roadmap syndrome.

Besides, the Indian army was deployed in strength along the Sikkim -,Bhutan –Tibet trijunction to prevent any Chinese incursion in the Doklam plateau