Modi holds talks with Bhutan King, focus on bilateral ties

As the King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in New Delhi, days after Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering raised eyebrows with his statement on China having an equal say in resolving the border dispute at Doklam, India said Tuesday that it follows all developments which have a bearing on its national interest “very closely” and will take all “necessary measures to safeguard them”.

Underlining that India and Bhutan share ties characterised by “trust, goodwill, mutual understanding,” Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said, “India and Bhutan remain in close touch relating to our shared interest, including security interest.”

Asked whether the Doklam issue figured in the talks, Kwatra, who was briefing reporters after Prime Minister Modi met the visiting King, said, “India and Bhutan remain in close touch relating to security cooperation.”

“Besides this exemplary and unique relationship that India and Bhutan have, we also have a time tested framework of security cooperation. And as part of that, both countries maintain (a) long-standing tradition of very close consultation on matters relating to their mutual interest and of course, security also. Now, in this context, the intertwined and indivisible nature of our security concerns is self-evident.”