China-Bhutan: Border Dispute

China-Bhutan: Border Dispute 

Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II – International relations; Security 

In news: 

• Bhutan recently sent a demarche to China protesting against Chinese claims to the Sakteng wildlife sanctuary in eastern Bhutan. 
• China had recently attempted to stop funding for the Sakteng sanctuary from the UN Development Program’s Global Environment Facility (GEF), on the grounds that it was “disputed” territory. 
• Bhutan has always maintained a discreet silence on its boundary negotiations with China, and it does not have any formal diplomatic relations with Beijing. 

Do you know? 

• The Sakteng sanctuary has in the past, too, received such grants, including in 2018-2019 for a project on preventing soil erosion, without any objection from China. 

Pic: Sakteng wildlife sanctuary