General Upendra Dwivedi Strengthens Ties with Bhutan Amid Strategic Challenges

General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Army Staff, embarked on a crucial four-day visit to Bhutan starting Monday, aimed at deepening military relations amid China's construction activities near the strategically vital Doklam plateau. During his trip, General Dwivedi is expected to meet with Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and hold substantial discussions with military head Lt Gen Batoo Tshering.

Timed against the backdrop of an evolving regional security landscape and post-India's Operation Sindoor, this visit signals India's commitment to its longstanding partnership with Bhutan. The agenda also includes interactions with senior Indian embassy officials and the Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) in Bhutan, reaffirming the robust and enduring ties between the two countries.

The visit arrives amid renewed focus on the Doklam plateau, where a significant 73-day standoff between Indian and Chinese forces occurred in 2017. The situation, still evolving, remains a point of concern for India, with Bhutan and China engaged in ongoing boundary negotiations that influence the strategic stability of the region. Both countries are working towards resolving their boundary dispute through a three-step roadmap agreement signed in October 2021.

(With inputs from agencies.)