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Rekha Dixit
Rekha Dixit

Bilateral ties

Jaishankar in Bhutan to reassure country of India's continued support

S-Jaishankar (File photo) Foreign secretary S. Jaishankar

Foreign secretary S. Jaishankar is in Thimphu since Sunday. This is the first high-level visit from India to Bhutan since the Doklam standoff was peacefully defused last month. The foreign secretary has already had meetings with his counterpart, Dasho Sonam Tshong, as well as an audience with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and the fourth king of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuck. Jaishankar also met Bhutan's Prime Minister Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay and Foreign Minister Lyonpo Damcho Dorji. He will return to India Thursday.

A communique from the ministry of external affairs stated that Jaishankar had discussions on range of bilateral issues—implementation of the ongoing India assisted projects under Bhutan's eleventh five year plan, the priorities for the twelfth five year plan, trade, economy hydropower co-operations. “Both sides reviewed preparations for the celebration of 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2018,'' the statement said.

The Mea has called the meeting “in keeping with the tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries to strengthen and expand the unique ties.'' However, the writing between the lines is clear. There were many lessons from Doklam for all three countries. For India, an important takeaway was that Bhutan and its pro-India loyalty could not be taken for granted. It did not buckle under Chinese pressure this time, but India remained on edge throughout. India's presence at the tri-junction was because Bhutan was its protectorate, and thus, a lot depended on how Bhutan withstood the Chinese pressure. It did, but the strain was massive.

Reassuring Bhutan that India is capable of protecting the Himalayan nation which values peace and happiness—two commodities that are constantly at risk in a nation sandwiched between two Asian giants—is important. Bhutan has to be wooed with loans, economic boosts and military help, say observers.

Though Doklam resolved itself, there is still an unease and wariness between India and China. The two armies did not hold the traditional Border Personnel Meeting during the recently observed 68th National Day of the People's republic of China . Usually, the BPM meet is held at five designated points along the 4.057km long border and Line of Actual Control from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh.

With the 19th party Congress of the Chinese Communist Party days ahead (October 18), the situation continues to be tense.  

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