Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05NEWDELHI6215
2005-08-10 12:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy New Delhi
Cable title:  

MEA PLAYS DOWN BHUTANESE KING'S VISIT

Tags:  PREL PREF ECON IN NP BT CH 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 006215 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/27/2015
TAGS: PREL PREF ECON IN NP BT CH
SUBJECT: MEA PLAYS DOWN BHUTANESE KING'S VISIT

REF: A. NEW DELHI 5912

B. KATHMANDU 1638

Classified By: Polcouns Geoff Pyatt for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 006215

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/27/2015
TAGS: PREL PREF ECON IN NP BT CH
SUBJECT: MEA PLAYS DOWN BHUTANESE KING'S VISIT

REF: A. NEW DELHI 5912

B. KATHMANDU 1638

Classified By: Polcouns Geoff Pyatt for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)


1. (C) Summary: King Wangchuck's August 1-4 visit to New
Delhi was part of a routine exchange and did not focus
narrowly on an imminent Bhutan-China boundary agreement,
according to MEA Joint Secretary (Nepal/Bhutan) Ranjit Rae.
Rae said that the border issue was discussed, along with
other routine matters, such as tariffs, the hydro sector and
general business. He implied that the press leaks about the
China border were deliberate -- perhaps part of a GOI effort
to remind Beijing of its special relationship with Thimphu.
He indicated that MEA did not discuss the Nepal/Bhutan
refugee issue with the King, but believed the topic came up
in meetings with the Home Ministry. Rae suggested the
Nepalese and Bhutanese Ambassadors in Delhi would be good
interlocutors to revive the stalled talks. The August 3
standoff between Bhutanese Refugees and Indian police at the
border was politically motivated and timed to coincide with
the King's visit, Rae stated. End Summary.

King's Visit Not at the Behest of the GOI
--------------


2. (C) The King's visit was not at the "command" of the GOI,
as implied in a July 28 article in the Indian Express, but
was a regularly scheduled trip, Rae indicated in an August 8
meeting. Discussion of borders is normal for a working visit
by the King to New Delhi. The Bhutanese on-line newspaper,
Kuensel, reported that the King met with Prime Minister
Singh, Sonia Gandhi and President Kalam during his four day
visit. According to Kuensel, the King discussed hydropower
development, support for the G-4 resolution for India's
permanent membership to the UNSC and the draft Bhutanese
constitution (Reftel).

Refugees
--------------


3. (C) Rae mentioned that the refugee issue between Bhutan
and Nepal did not come up in meetings between the King and
the MEA, but indicated that the issue was broached during
discussions with the Home Ministry. He signaled that the GOI
position has not changed and it continues to pressure Bhutan
and Nepal to find a solution to the problem. Nepalese
Foreign Secretary Acharya suggested to Rae during a recent
visit to Kathmandu the GON's firm stance on complete
verification prior to refugee repatriation may be softening.
Acharya indicated that Nepal might allow Category 1 refugees
to return prior to the completion of the verification of the
other camps, if Bhutan states its commitment to repatriate
the rest. Rae commented to the GON that the Nepalese
Ambassador to Delhi has been an effective interlocutor and
suggested that he and the Bhutanese Ambassador should restart
this dialogue. Noting that Kathmandu has more serious issues
to deal with, Rae warned that the Government of Nepal is not
enthusiastic about engaging on the refugee issue and will
want to know details regarding what the Royal Government of
Bhutan (RGOB) intends to discuss.

Border Standoff: A PR Stunt
--------------


4. (C) Regarding the August 3 incident on the Nepal-India
border in which a group of 323 refugees from the Beldangi
Refugee Camps attempted to return to Bhutan via India
(Reftel),Rae stated it was solely a publicity stunt
scheduled to coincide with the King's visit to Delhi. He
noted that if the refugees truly wanted to reach the Bhutan
border, they could simply leave in smaller numbers without
the fanfare, since the border is open and guards would not
normally restrict the passage of Bhutanese or Nepalese
citizens. Staging a sit-in on the middle of the Mechi bridge
only ensured the Indian border guards would not allow them to
pass, Rae indicated.

Comment: Border Dispute will be a "Package Deal"
-------------- ---


5. (C) The July announcement by RGOB's Secretary for
International Boundaries Pema Wangchuck that Bhutan and China
had "agreed to change the claim line" prodded the GOI into
action. It was no coincidence that an article in the Indian
Express reporting New Delhi's apprehension over the border
deal appeared just days prior to the King's visit. The GOI
leak to the Indian Express ensured China would get the
message that no deal on the Bhutan-China border should be
made prior to an agreement on the Sino-Indian border dispute.
BLAKE