PM Narendra Modi and visiting Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck reviewed bilateral cooperation Tuesday and discussed issues of national interests in a meeting, amid renewed efforts by Bhutan to demarcate parts of its boundary with China and uncertainty over the Doklam tri-junction.
While asserting the government was closely following all developments that had a bearing on India’s national interests, and would take all necessary measures to safeguard those, foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra also said ties with Bhutan were based on shared values including mutual sensitivity to each other’s concerns. The government reiterated its earlier statements on Doklam that said tri-junctions had to be finalised in consultation with all concerned countries.
India maintains that any attempt to determine the tri-junction must be in line with the 2012 agreement between India and China that the tri-junction boundary points between India, China and third countries “will be finalized in consultation with the concerned countries’’. India had accused Beijing of violating this agreement in 2017 when China started to construct a road in the Doklam area.
The meeting also saw Modi reiterating India’s continued and full support to the socio-economic development in Bhutan, said the foreign secretary.