On Sunday, August 27, 2023 at 10:18:14 AM UTC-4, ltlee1 wrote:

"New Delhi: Bhutan and China have agreed to establish a joint technical team and to take “simultaneous steps” to expedite the implementation of a ‘three-step roadmap’ that will lead to the demarcation of boundary.

This decision was conveyed in a joint press release which was issued after the 13th expert group meeting (EGM) on the China-Bhutan issue, held in Beijing from August 21 to 24. This was the third meeting of the expert group held this year.

China asserts claims over roughly 764 square kilometre in the northwestern and central regions of Bhutan.

Originally, the dispute was part of border negotiations between India and China. However, direct dialogues between China and Bhutan were initiated in 1984. Since then, over 24 rounds of border talks and 12 rounds of expert-level meetings have taken

place. And of course, Sino-Indian border is not yet finalized.

The joint press noted that based on the consensus reached at the previous expert group meeting, the two sides had “candid, friendly and constructive discussions” on implementing a memorandum of understanding on the three-step roadmap.

“One of the important outcomes of the 13th EGM is the establishment of the Joint Technical Team on the Delimitation of China-Bhutan Boundary which held its first meeting on the sidelines of the 13th EGM,” said the statement.

It added that both sides agreed to “expedite and take simultaneous steps to implement the ‘three-step road map’”."

https://thewire.in/diplomacy/bhutan-china-set-up-technical-team-on-delimitation-of-boundary

It is obvious that China finds it necessary to talk to Bhutan, and in this case, India as a third party to make the border acceptable to both sides.

Yet, for some so far unexplained reasons, the US as well as most of European nations assume that Ukraine's border is holy as if some God has decreed a certain piece of Europe to Ukraine, to keep and to hold, forever and ever although the border between
Ukarine and Russia is not mutually established and accepted via legal instruments.

Geopolitics 101on bilateral border per Bing GPT-4: ---------------------------------------------------------
Question: When is a bilaterally [border] between two countries a mutually accepted border?
Answer: A mutually accepted border between two countries is established through negotiations or conflict resolution. It is a line or zone that is agreed upon by both countries to maintain the status quo until a final settlement of the erstwhile frontier
region in the form of a delimited international boundary is reached 1.

Question: What if one country refuses to negotiate?
Answer: If one country refuses to negotiate, it can lead to a territorial dispute. Territorial disputes occur when official representatives of one country make explicit statements claiming sovereignty over a specific piece of territory that is claimed or
administered by another country 1. Territorial disputes can be resolved successfully with peaceful conflict management tools such as arbitration and adjudication through international courts. However, if the dispute is not resolved peacefully, it can
lead to militarized conflict 1. In general, territorial disputes are dangerous and can lead to wars between countries 1.

Question: Are arbitration and adjudication possible [if] either country doesn't trust the arbitrator or the international court?
Answer: If either country does not trust the arbitrator or the international court, it can lead to a stalemate in the resolution of the territorial dispute. However, there are several ways to address this issue. One way is to select an arbitrator or a
court that is mutually acceptable to both countries. Another way is to establish a panel of arbitrators or judges, with each country selecting one arbitrator or judge and a third arbitrator or judge being selected by mutual agreement 1. This approach can
help ensure that both countries have a say in the selection of the arbitrators or judges and can help build trust in the process. Additionally, some countries may choose to use alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as mediation or conciliation,
which can be less formal and more flexible than arbitration or adjudication 2. Ultimately, the success of any dispute resolution mechanism depends on the willingness of both countries to engage in good faith negotiations and to work towards a mutually
acceptable solution."

Question: What if a third country interferes? Would it negatively impact the border disputes?
Answer: If a third country interferes in a territorial dispute, it can complicate the situation and make it more difficult to resolve. Third-party involvement can take many forms, including diplomatic pressure, military intervention, or support for one
of the disputing parties 1. In some cases, third-party involvement can help to resolve a territorial dispute by providing mediation or other forms of assistance. However, in other cases, third-party involvement can exacerbate the conflict and make it
more difficult to reach a peaceful resolution 1. Ultimately, the impact of third-party involvement on a territorial dispute depends on the specific circumstances of the dispute and the actions taken by the third party.

Question: What if a third country which biases against one of the [two] interferes?
Answer: If a third country interferes in a territorial dispute and is biased against one of the disputing parties, it can further complicate the situation and make it more difficult to resolve. Third-party involvement can take many forms, including
diplomatic pressure, military intervention, or support for one of the disputing parties 1. If the third-party country is biased against one of the disputing parties, it can lead to a loss of trust in the dispute resolution process and make it more
difficult to reach a peaceful resolution 1. In such cases, it may be necessary to seek the assistance of a neutral third party or mediator to help resolve the dispute. The mediator should be someone who is trusted by both parties and has no vested
interest in the outcome of the dispute 1. Ultimately, the success of any dispute resolution mechanism depends on the willingness of both countries to engage in good faith negotiations and to work towards a mutually acceptable solution.

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