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China has built at least 22 villages in areas traditionally considered part of Bhutan in the past eight years. Satellite images show that since 2020, eight of these villages have been built near the strategic Doklam plateau.
Located in the western region of Bhutan, these villages are situated in valleys or on peaks, some of which are close to Chinese military posts.
The largest village, Jiwu, is located on Bhutanese pasture land known as Tsethangkha. Bhutanese officials have denied the presence of Chinese settlements in their territory. In 2023, former Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering said that Chinese facilities “are not in Bhutan.” Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has refrained from commenting on these developments.
China’s strategic move
Since 2016, China has built 22 villages and settlements in Bhutan and settled about 7,000 people in these areas. This expansion covers about 825 square kilometers or more than 2% of Bhutan’s area. These villages are connected to Chinese cities through roads, with seven settlements already built since the beginning of 2023 and three villages to be upgraded to cities.
Robert Barnett’s report “Forceful Diplomacy: China’s Cross-Border Villages in Bhutan” shows that China aims to secure the Doklam plateau and surrounding areas. Experts consider this construction a violation of the 1998 China-Bhutan Agreement aimed at maintaining peace and status quo in the border areas.
India’s Concerns Increased
This development has raised concerns in New Delhi due to the potential impact on India’s Siliguri Corridor. This corridor is a vital connectivity route connecting India’s northeastern states. This situation poses a major challenge for Bhutan due to the power asymmetry with China and has also raised concerns for India given its proximity to this important corridor.
The primary concern for India remains Doklam. Bhutan has indicated that any decision regarding Doklam will involve India. A big question is whether Chinese pressure could push Bhutan away from India’s sphere of influence.
India-China Relations
Relations between India and China have been tense since the 1962 border war, especially after the military standoff began in the Ladakh sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in 2020. However, the recent disengagement at key “friction points” on the LAC and the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping are part of an effort to resolve border disputes and normalize bilateral relations.
The construction of villages in Bhutanese territory is considered to be part of China’s strategy to gradually change the facts on the ground. This approach is just one example of its actions in the South China Sea. This situation is a challenge for both Bhutan and India, as it may have an impact on regional stability and influence dynamics.
