M B Subba
Bhutan Today
23 June 2012
While the Chinese State news agency Xinhua and others said that “a historic moment” at the sidelines of the United Nations Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development in Brazil was the first ever meeting between prime ministers of Bhutan and China, where expressions to establish diplomatic ties were discussed, the Bhutanese PM’s media cell has said the Chinese local media has misreported that Bhutan and China will forge formal diplomatic ties.
Instead, Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been taking this opportunity on the sidelines of the meeting to meet people to campaign for the UN Security Council’s seat.
Back at home, some quarters of the Bhutanese intelligentsia Bhutan TODAY spoke to have their own say.
“That the news was splashed by China’s State news agency is an embodiment of the fact that China wants to have diplomatic relations with Bhutan,” an observer seeking anonymity said. According to him, if China engages with Bhutan it is in regards to its borders. “Given that Bhutan shares a long border with China, its interest in Bhutan might be ‘strategic,’” he said.
Meanwhile, the Gangzur – Minjay member of the National Assembly (NA) Karma Rangdol and head of the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa’s Foreign Relations Committee is for a relation with China in the “near future” but “not immediately”. “We have to think about the relationship at a later stage but I am for it in the near future”, he said, adding that relations should be built cautiously.
However, Karma Rangdol said the decision depends on the next government as the present one’s term is about to end. Underlining that Bhutan has diplomatic relations with over forty countries, he said relations with China could benefit Bhutan economically. “Because of geopolitical situation we can gain a lot,” he said.
The Dewathang-Gomdar National Assembly member Ugyen Dorji says that establishment of diplomatic tie would facilitate settlement of the long standing border dispute between the two neighbors. “That’s what Chinese are pressing for (diplomatic tie). They badly want us to establish diplomatic relations with them,” he said, adding that he felt “positive” when the news first came.
The two countries held the 19th round of border talks here in January 2010.
Contrary to the “Indian angle,” which people bring in whenever Bhutan-China relations are discussed, Ugyen Dorji said he does not think that a diplomatic tie with China will hurt the Indian government. He said the people and government of India are “broadminded as we are” and Bhutan would never hurt Indian sentiments. “The meeting of the two Premiers is nothing.”
A political analyst said the dynamics of global politics has changed. “The relationship that India and China has evolved very positively in the last few years and the mutual respect and trust between India and Bhutan is unparalleled,” he said. He added that along with time the “old order” should change. “As far as I know, New Delhi should be assured and Bhutan should move ahead.”
An observer said China would look for a formal tie with Bhutan if the former support the latter’s bid for a seat in the Security Council. “If Bhutan wants to gain important seats in the United Nations, China’s support would be important as China is empowered by veto right and its influence over other countries is strong,” he said.
Trashiyangtsi MP Dupthob said the question is not about whether to build ties but about time. “It (to establish diplomatic tie) is inevitable as the three countries Bhutan, India and China have share common objectives,” he said.
As both the neighbors are strong, Bhutan will definitely benefit. “After all, we have a long standing border issue with China, which even India would like to see resolved,” he said.
In an earlier interview with Bhutan TODAY, Indian Ambassador to Bhutan, Pavan K Varma said Bhutan’s decision with regard to China is a matter of its sovereign will. “Bhutan, as sovereign country can take its own decision with regard to diplomatic relationship with any country including China,” he had said.
Meanwhile, the officiating foreign minister, Khandu Wangchuk also did not comment if Bhutan has plans to establish diplomatic ties with the second largest economy in the world. Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, who has also served as foreign minister in the past said: “We want good relations with all the countries”.
Bhutan’s foreign policy states that the government strives to promote goodwill and cooperation with nations, foster respect for international law and treaty obligations, and encourage settlement of international disputes by peaceful means in order to promote international peace and security.
A 1949 treaty which gave India a say in Thimphu’s foreign
