China proposes ‘package solution’ for Bhutan row

NEW DELHI: Seeking to justify its claim over the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary in eastern Bhutan, China on Tuesday said it “advocates a package solution” to resolve its border dispute with the mountainous nation which has been subject to renewed pressure from Beijing.
The renewed talk about a package solution has left many wondering if China is offering a new deal to Bhutan, after taking a maximalist position with its claim in eastern Bhutan, and also using the tactic to apply pressure on India.
“China’s position remains consistent and clear. The boundary between China and Bhutan has not been delimited and there are disputes in the middle, eastern and western sections,” a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said, adding that this was why China called for a “package solution to resolve the dispute”.
China’s claim in eastern Bhutan is new as it has never in the past claimed sovereignty over the Sakteng area, located close to the border with Arunachal Pradesh, despite having 24 rounds of talks on the disputed boundary since 1984.
As strategic affairs expert Brahma Chellaney said, this was perhaps the first time since World War II that one state has laid claim to another nation’s territory that could be accessed only through a third nation.
Chellaney said the spokesperson’s remarks suggested that Beijing was willing to make a new package offer to Thimphu as it has already occupied almost the whole of Doklam plateau in Bhutan.
“China has occupied the Bhutan-claimed Doklam plateau, other than the 2017 stand-off site located in one corner. And now, with its territorial claim to a sizeable chunk of tiny Bhutan’s eastern territory, China may be seeking to replace its old package offer with a new one,” he said.
Under the old offer by China, it was believed that Bhutan would give up its claim on Doklam in exchange for Beijing ceding territory in the central section. This was resisted by Bhutan apparently at India’s behest even as Thimphu itself remains wary of Chinese moves on its borders.
China for the first time staked claim over Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary at the Global Environment Facility Council recently. Later, Bhutan’s embassy here issued a demarche to the Chinese mission saying Sakteng was an integral part of the country.