INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Indian troops stalled road building by the Chinese Army in Doklam last year (File)Beijing: China on Tuesday said it discussed the vexed
boundary issue, including the Doklam plateau, with Bhutan during Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou's three-day visit to
Thimpu.India and China were locked in an over two-month long military stand-off near their boundary in the Doklam plateau, contested by both
Beijing and Thimpu.The stand-off began in June when Indian troops stalled road building by the Chinese Army in the area, citing the disputed
status of the region and its close proximity to India's artery in the northeast.Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang said Mr
Xuanyou was in Bhutan from July 22 to July 24 and was accompanied by China's envoy to India, Luo Zhaohui."During his visit, he met the
fourth and fifth kings (Jigme Singye Wangchuck and Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck) of Bhutan and its Prime Minister (Tshering Tobgay)
He also held talks with Bhutan's Foreign Minister (Dmacho Dorji)," Mr Geng said."The two sides exchanged views on China-Bhutan ties,
boundary issues and reached many agreements," he added.China has no diplomatic ties with Bhutan with which it has a border dispute
The Doklam plateau is a part of the disputed border where the boundaries of India, China, and Bhutan meet.China has offered 269 square
kilometres of area in the western sector to Bhutan in lieu of 100 square kilometres in Doklam
Bhutan refuses to accept this."The two sides should continue to push forward the border negotiations, abide by the principled consensus
reached, jointly safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border areas, and create positive conditions for the final settlement of the border
issue," said the Chinese Foreign Ministry.In June 2017, New Delhi objected to Chinese road building in Doklam because of the disputed status
and its proximity to the Siliguri Corridor which links India's northeast to the rest of the country.The stand-off ended in August after both
sides retreated from the point of the face off.
