China also has border dispute with Bhutan, suggested this deal
China defended its recent claim on Bhutan-based Sakateng Wildlife Sanctuary. China said that there was no demarcation between the two countries so far and it proposed a ‘package solution’ to resolve the border dispute.
China’s proposal is being wondered whether it is now presenting a new deal to Bhutan after its strong claim on East Bhutan and using it as a strategy to pressure India.
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said, “China remains on its stand. There is no demarcation between China and Bhutan and there is a dispute over the central, eastern and western sections.”
He said that this is the reason why China is “offering a package solution to resolve the dispute.”
China’s claim on eastern Bhutan is new, as it had never claimed the Saketeng Wildlife Sanctuary before. This Sanctuary falls near the border of Arunachar state.
Since 1984, there were 24 talks about the disputed border, when China had made no such claim.
Brahma Chelani, an expert on strategic affairs, says that this is probably the first case after World War II when one country has claimed an area of another country, which can only be accessed from a third country.
Chellani says that it seems from the Chinese spokesperson that China is offering a new package to Bhutan, as it has already occupied almost the entire Doklam in Bhutan.
He says, “In 2017, in addition to the dispute in a corner, China has captured Doklam. And now, by claiming a large part of the eastern region of Bhutan, it is replacing its old package with a new one. Will try to deliver the package. “
China’s old offer was that Bhutan would relinquish its claim on Doklam, in return for which it would hand it over to the Central Section. Bhutan did not agree on this. It is believed that he did this at the behest of India.
China claimed the Sakateng Wildlife Sanctuary for the first time in the recently held Global Environment Faculty Council. After which Bhutan said that Sakateng is an integral part of it.
