“Probably, there is Chinese intrusion in Bhutan. We are checking that out both with China and Bhutan,” sources said virtually confirming reports emerging out of Thimphu in this regard. However, contrary to unconfirmed reports about Chinese incursions in Sikkim, the sources clarified that there were no incidents of intrusions by that country this year.

Matter of strategy
Delhi, though appears bit concerned about the Chinese intrusions in Bhutan, believes that Beijing is deliberately taking recourse to such steps as a matter of a strategy for its negotiations with Thimphu for a boundary settlement with that country.

Bhutan has been holding negotiations with China for over 22 years for a settlement of their boundary dispute. The Bhutanese side perceives that the Chinese government might be delaying a settlement due to Bhutan’s close ties with India as per the 1949 Indo-Bhutanese treaty of friendship, according to which Bhutan’s foreign and security policies were conducted with consultations with Delhi.

However, what appears to have surprised India is that the latest reports about the Chinese intrusions have happened in the wake of the fact that the 1949 treaty was “updated” in February, allowing Bhutan to chart out an independent foreign policy course.

According to reports, at least one of the six border roads being built by the Chinese along the northern borders of Bhutan crosses into the Bhutanese territory. Bhutan’s national security continues to be a matter of interest to India even under the revised treaty.

Just a couple of months ago, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee was in Thimphu for consultations with the Bhutanese leadership.