As Bhutan and India reaffirm friendly ties, China remains the elephant in the room

NEW DELHI - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed the "unique ties of friendship and cooperation" between his country and Bhutan when meeting King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck on Monday evening. But while the declaration seemed like routine diplomatic parlance between the two neighbouring countries, analysts noted its significance in the backdrop of China trying to gain a foothold in Bhutan. The tiny Himalayan nation of 700,000, wedged between China and India, is the only country in South Asia where Beijing does not have a presence or formal diplomatic ties. But that could change with Bhutan said to be close…