China for normal India-Bhutan ties

By Gaurav Sharma

Beijing, Nov 2 (IANS) A day after Indian President Ram Nath Kovind praised visiting Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck for his country's support during the Doklam crises, China on Thursday said it stood for "normal ties" between India and Bhutan.

Beijing also said it wants to develop friendly relations with New Delhi as well as Thimpu with which it has no diplomatic ties.

"Both India and Bhutan are China's important close neighbours. We are committed to developing good neighbourliness and friendly relations with these two countries," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said.

"Also, we would like to see India and Bhutan developing normal relations."

Bhutan's king and his wife are on a four-day goodwill visit to India.

The royal couple called on President Kovind on Wednesday. The President appreciated the Bhutan King's personal involvement and guidance and the support Bhutan provided in addressing the recent border row in Doklam area.

Kovind said the manner in which both India and Bhutan stood together to address the situation in the Doklam area was a clear testimony to India-Bhutan friendship.

"We believe that China and India probably settled this issue through diplomatic means. We hope India could follow historical conventions and work with China to maintain peace and tranquility on the border area," Hua added.

India and China were locked in an over two-month military stand-off at Doklam, which is claimed by Beijing and Thimpu. The boundaries of three countries meet each other at Doklam.

The crisis erupted when the Indian Army stopped Chinese troops from building a road in June.

During the stand-off, China accused India of "controlling" Bhutan and interfering in its domestic politics.