Bhutan comes under Indian pressure, asserts it 'has no plans to establish diplomatic ties with China'

[mota bhai 2,675]

July 12 2013

THIMPHU: Bhutan has no plans to establish diplomatic ties with China, a top leader of the ruling party said on Friday.

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The ruling Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT)'s officiating president Yeshe Zimbe ruled out any diplomatic relations between Bhutan and China, saying the meeting between outgoing Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley and the then Chinese premier Wen Jiabao at Rio de Janeiro in Brazil last year was just a "courtesy call" and nothing more should be read out of it.

The Rio meeting, on the sidelines of an international meet, was seen by many in India as Bhutan's warming up to China. Many also linked New Delhi's recent decision to withdraw subsidy to kerosene and cooking gas with the meeting.

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Tenzin also said if DPT returns to power for the second time, further improving ties with India would be its priority.

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"Our relations with India are always warm, strong and deep. We were with India, we are with India and we will remain with India," Zimbe said.

Explaining Bhutan's complexity in maintaining relations with its giant neighbours India and China, opposition party PDP's general secretary Sonam Jatsho told PTI, "Our relation with India is very old, deep and unshakable. It is built over the years on the basis of mutual trust, cooperation and help".

"But we have a long border with China too. If China says hello, sometimes, we also have to say hello," Jatsho said.

"I think India understands that," he added, sitting in the People's Democratic Party's office in the heart of the city.

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"We will try to remove all irritants from bilateral relations with India if we form the government," Jatsho said.

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-07-12/news/40536756_1_jiabao-diplomatic-ties-bhutan-and-china

Edited July 30, 2013 by amriki bhai

[mota bhai 2,675]

We'll take care of India's concerns: Bhutan PM-elect
Jul 23, 2013

THIMPU: Bhutan's Prime Minister-elect Tshering Tobgay has said his country would not undermine Delhi's sensibilities and interests.

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"I would like to reassure the people of India that Bhutan is fully cognizant of India's sensibilities and interests, and will not in any way undermine them," Tobgay said in response to a question on Delhi's reported reservations on last year's meeting between Thinley and then Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Rio.

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Tobgay said he would follow in the footsteps of "our farsighted kings and eminent leaders in India", who built excellent relations based on shared interests, trust and goodwill. "I wish to make a humble contribution in seeing our relations emerge even stronger in the years ahead. I see the need for more interaction and dialogue at all levels - official, business and people-to-people - so that we can develop even more closer and meaningful ties," he added.

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The PM-elect said he would visit India as soon as possible. "My primary agenda is to convey to the government and people of India that the new government formed by my party will continue to work towards further strengthening the excellent relations existing between India and Bhutan. There are also specific issues that I would like to take up such as the early resumption of subsidies for LPG and kerosene ..." he added.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-07-23/south-asia/40748044_1_excellent-relations-trade-ties-india

[Jacque67 7,328]

It might make economical sense to have better relations with China.