Context
India's security interests and diplomatic relations are called into question by the Foreign Minister of Bhutan's historic visit to China, wherein boundary talks have been resumed.
 
Historic Talks between China and Bhutan 
·         Historic Visit: The visit to China by Bhutan's Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji is noteworthy. Since Bhutan and China do not have diplomatic relations, this visit is unique.
·         Resuming Boundary Discussions: After a seven-year break, talks turned to boundary concerns, which was a big step forward.
·         Both countries inked a cooperation agreement to establish a cooperative technical team for boundary marking and delimitation.

Bhutan's Assurance and India's Fears  
·         India's Wary Attitude: India, Bhutan's key friend, is hesitant for Bhutan to sign a boundary agreement and establish diplomatic relations with China.
·         Diplomatic Ties Are Inevitable: In spite of India's reservations, diplomatic ties and a boundary agreement between Bhutan and China appear imminent.
·         India's Prime Minister received an assurance from Bhutan that any accord with China would not jeopardize India's interests.

India's Approach and Takeaways from the Doklam Issue  
·         India's Security Concerns: India wants to protect its interests, especially by keeping China away from the strategically important Siliguri corridor.
·         Collaborative Approach with Bhutan: Rather than expecting compliance from an autonomous nation, India learned from the 2017 Doklam crisis how important it is to synchronize plans with Bhutan.
·         Maintaining India's interests while addressing Bhutan's concerns can result in a mutually beneficial border arrangement.

LTX Mains Question: 
Q. Discuss how Bhutan-China relations are changing, emphasizing India's worries and the need for cooperation to protect shared interests. How can India handle this diplomatically while yet honoring Bhutan's sovereignty?