China, Bhutan to hold 22nd round of boundary talks on Thursday

China and Bhutan will hold the 22nd round of boundary talks in Beijing from Thursday to resolve the issue of disputed land, which also borders India's northeastern states of Sikkim and Arunanchal Pradesh.

The seven-member Bhutanese delegation led by Foreign Minister Lyonpo Rinzin Dorji will leave for China today.

Others in the team include Foreign Secretary Yeshey Dorji, Ambassador of Bhutan to India Maj. Gen. Vetsop Namgyel and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international Boundaries.

The 21st round of boundary talks was held here on August 22, 2013.

During the intervening period, the two sides conducted the Joint Technical Field Survey of Bayul Pasamlung area in September 2013 and an expert Group Meeting was held in Beijing in March 2014.

The boundary negotiations between the two governments are guided by the Four Guiding Principles of 1988 and the 1998 Agreement on the Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility in the Bhutan-China Border Areas.

Since the 1980s, the two sides have held regular talks on border and security issues aimed at reducing tensions.

China shares 470 kilometres border with Bhutan, which is also close to India's "chicken's neck" - the narrow Siliguri Corridor which links the northeast passage.