Kathmandu: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj yesterday met her Bhutanese counterpart Damcho Dorji, who hoped that the standoff between Indian and Chinese troops in the Dokalam area of the Sikkim sector is resolved "peacefully and amicably".
The comments by Mr Dorji came after his meeting with Ms Swaraj on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC foreign ministers' meeting in Kathmandu.
"We hope the situation in Dokalam will be resolved peacefully and amicably," Mr Dorji told reporters.
This was the first official reaction from Bhutan after Beijing's claim that the Himalayan nation had acknowledged that Dokalam belonged to China. However, China had not offered any evidence to support its claim.
Both Ms Swaraj and Mr Dorji were in Kathmandu to attend a meeting of foreign ministers from the countries of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), a grouping of countries in South Asia and South East Asia.
However, there was no official word from the Indian side on what was discussed during the meeting.
"Time with a close friend and neighbour. The external affairs minister meets with foreign minister of Bhutan Damcho Dorji on sidelines of BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' meet,"
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted and also posted a picture of the meeting.
The two leaders mainly discussed BIMSTEC cooperation and a range of issues in bilateral relations, Sudhakar Dalale, Joint Secretary North, said of the Swaraj-Dorji meeting.
The meeting between the two leaders comes against the backdrop of the current standoff in Dokalam -- a trijunction between India, China and Bhutan.
India and China have been locked in a face-off in the Dokalam area of the Sikkim sector since June 16 after Indian troops stopped the Chinese People's Liberation Army from building a road in the area.
Ms Swaraj also met Sri Lanka's minister of state for foreign affairs Vasantha Senanayake.
During the meeting they discussed bilateral issues, mutual cooperation and matters relating to strengthening cultural linkages, Mr Dalale said.
BIMSTEC has very important role for India and greater energy needs to be injected into the BIMSTEC movement, he said.
"The BIMSTEC has made an important journey in the past two decades and we need to explore untapped resources through the regional grouping for our benefit," he said.
Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal are members of the BIMSTEC.
The comments by Mr Dorji came after his meeting with Ms Swaraj on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC foreign ministers' meeting in Kathmandu.
"We hope the situation in Dokalam will be resolved peacefully and amicably," Mr Dorji told reporters.
Both Ms Swaraj and Mr Dorji were in Kathmandu to attend a meeting of foreign ministers from the countries of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), a grouping of countries in South Asia and South East Asia.
Advertisement
"Time with a close friend and neighbour. The external affairs minister meets with foreign minister of Bhutan Damcho Dorji on sidelines of BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers' meet,"
Advertisement
The two leaders mainly discussed BIMSTEC cooperation and a range of issues in bilateral relations, Sudhakar Dalale, Joint Secretary North, said of the Swaraj-Dorji meeting.
Advertisement
India and China have been locked in a face-off in the Dokalam area of the Sikkim sector since June 16 after Indian troops stopped the Chinese People's Liberation Army from building a road in the area.
Advertisement
During the meeting they discussed bilateral issues, mutual cooperation and matters relating to strengthening cultural linkages, Mr Dalale said.
Advertisement
"The BIMSTEC has made an important journey in the past two decades and we need to explore untapped resources through the regional grouping for our benefit," he said.
Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal are members of the BIMSTEC.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
"India Is Standing Against A Bully": Top Bureaucrat On Situation At LAC Situation Along India Border Has Been Stable On The Whole, Says China At UN, Trudeau Avoids Indian Media Questions On Khalistan Terrorist Twice Mamata Banerjee's Sunday Ultimatum To CBI For Death Penalty In Rape-Murder How Extreme Weather Is Leading To Rise In Child Marriages In Pakistan Who Is Jasveen Sangha, "Ketamine Queen" Charged With Matthew Perry's Death Major Admin Reshuffle In Jammu And Kashmir Ahead Of Likely Poll Announcement Google Brings 'AI Overviews' To India With Country-First Features Explained: Occupational English Test For Healthcare Professionals Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.