BORDER OF BHUTAN

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28983, 26 August 1959, Page 13

BORDER OF BHUTAN

Nehru Warns China

(N.Z. Press Association— Copyright)

(Rec. 10 p.m.) NEW DELHI, August 25. The Indian Prime Minister, Mr Nehru, gave Communist China firm notice today that “India will fight if there is any invasion of the tiny protectorates of Sikkim and Bhutan,” the American Associated Press reported.

He told the Upper House of the Indian Parliament that Sikkim and Bhutan have treaty relations with India and India is accountable for their defence.

“Any infringement of their border will be an infringement of our undertaking and we shall certainly defend against every such intrusion.” he said.

Mr Nehru's warning came after he was questioned by House members about reported fears held by the southern Himalayan States on Communist China’s intentions. In recent weeks there has been a steady stream of reports—none of them official—that Communist China is massing troops in the north of Bhutan and laying various kinds of claim to Sikkim and Bhutan and to some parts of India.

Mr Nehru replied that there has been some measure of anxiety in the minds of the authorities of Sikkim and Bhutan ever since the Tibetan revolt flared into the open last March. He reported that the Bhutan Premier, Mr Jigme Dorje, is coming to Delhi in the next few days and “we will be meeting?*