We have noted inking of MoU on boundary negotiations between Bhutan, China: MEA

New Delhi: India said on Thursday that it has noted the signing of an MoU between Bhutan and China to expedite their ongoing boundary negotiations.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, answering a query at a media briefing on the issue, said: “We saw the press release a little while ago. We have noted the signing of the MoU between Bhutan and China today. As you are aware that Bhutan and China have been holding boundary negotiations since 1984. India has similarly been holding boundary negotiations with China.”

He declined to elaborate, saying: “We have noted the development, we are aware of it.”

His comments came in the wake of Bhutan and China on Thursday signing an MoU on a Three-Step Roadmap to expedite their ongoing boundary negotiations and to bring it to a successful conclusion acceptable to both sides.

In a statement, Bhutan’s Foreign Ministry said the MoU was signed in a virtual ceremony today.

The Foreign Minister of Bhutan, Lyonpo Tandi Dorji, and the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, Wu Jianghao, signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the Three-Step Roadmap for Expediting the Bhutan-China Boundary Negotiations.

It said that 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.

The Memorandum of Understanding will be exchanged between the two sides through diplomatic channels.

UNI/RN