Amid the border dispute between India and China, Bhutan signs a three-step roadmap with China for expediting the boundary negotiations

India on Thursday said it has noted the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between Bhutan and China on ‘Three-Step Roadmap for Expediting the Bhutan-China Boundary Negotiations.’

“We have noted the signing of the MoU between Bhutan and China. You are aware that Bhutan and China have been holding boundary negotiations since 1984. Similarly, India has been holding boundary negotiations with China,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at the weekly media briefing

The two countries signed a MoU, four-year after Indian and Chinese soldiers had a stand-off at Doklam, a Bhutanese territory. It was signed for expediting talks to demarcate their 470 km-long disputed land boundary.

“The Memorandum of Understanding on the Three-Step Roadmap will provide a fresh impetus to the Boundary Talks. It is expected that the implementation of this Roadmap in a spirit of goodwill, understanding and accommodation will bring the boundary negotiations to a successful conclusion that is acceptable to both sides,” said the Bhutanese Foreign Ministry in a statement.

The Bhutanese Foreign Ministry further added that Thimphu and Beijing had agreed on the three-step roadmap during the tenth expert group meeting in Kunming, April this year.

Bhutan announced that the MoU would be exchanged between the two sides through diplomatic channels.