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Politics of Bhutan
Constitution Law Human rights LGBT rights
Monarchy King (list) Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck Heir Apparent Crown Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck Wangchuck dynasty
State religion Dratshang Lhentshog (state religious commission) Chairman: The Je Khenpo
GovernmentExecutive Prime Minister Lotay Tshering Lhengye Zhungtshog (council of ministers) Parliament National Council National Assembly Judiciary Royal Court of Justice Supreme Court High Court Dzongkhag Courts Dungkhag Courts
Elections Recent elections Assembly: 2018 2023–24 Council: 2018 2023 Local: 2011 Political parties
Administrative divisions Districts of Bhutan Gewogs Dungkhags Thromdes Chiwogs Villages
Foreign relations Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minister: Tandi Dorji Diplomatic missions of / in Bhutan Nationality law Passport Visa requirements Visa policy
Other countries
v t e

Bhutan has diplomatic relations with 52 states and the European Union.

In 1971, sponsored by India, Bhutan began to develop its foreign relations by joining the United Nations, though it has no diplomatic relations with any of the permanent members on the UN Security Council. In 1981, Bhutan joined the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, followed by the World Health Organization and UNESCO in 1982. It is also an active member of SAARC. Bhutan is currently a member of 45 international organizations.

Under Article 20 of the Constitution of Bhutan enacted in 2008, Bhutan's foreign relations fall under the purview of the Druk Gyalpo on the advice of the Executive, namely the Prime Minister and other Ministers of the Lhengye Zhungtshog including the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

India

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Historically, ties with India have been close. Both countries signed a first ever Friendship treaty in 1865 between Bhutan and British India. However, when Bhutan became a monarchy, British India was the first country to recognize it and renewed the treaty in 1910. Bhutan was the first country to recognize Indian independence and renewed the age old treaty with the new government in 1949, including a clause that India would assist Bhutan in foreign relations. On February 8, 2007, the Indo-Bhutan Friendship Treaty was substantially revised under the Bhutanese King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. In the Treaty of 1949 Article 2 read as "The Government of India undertakes to exercise no interference in the internal administration of Bhutan. On its part the Government of Bhutan agrees to be guided by the advice of the Government of India in regard to its external relations." In the revised treaty this now reads as, "In keeping with the abiding ties of close friendship and cooperation between Bhutan and India, the Government of the Kingdom of Bhutan and the Government of the Republic of India shall cooperate closely with each other on issues relating to their national interests. Neither government shall allow the use of its territory for activities harmful to the national security and interest of the other." The revised treaty also includes in it the preamble "Reaffirming their respect for each other's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity", an element that was absent in the earlier version. The Indo-Bhutan Friendship Treaty of 2007 strengthens Bhutan's status as an independent and sovereign nation.

There also exists bi-lateral agreement between Bhutanese and Indian Government where-in citizens of both nations can travel freely in other country without passport and visa.

People's Republic of China

Main article: Bhutan–China relations

Bhutan has no diplomatic relations with its northern neighbor, the People's Republic of China. The border between Bhutan and China has been closed since the invasion of Tibet in 1959, causing an influx of refugees. The border also remains undelineated; in 1961 China published a map that altered the traditional border. Tensions have since lessened, especially after the signing of a 1998 agreement on border peace and tranquility, the first bilateral agreement between China and Bhutan. Despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations, Bhutan has also maintained an Honorary Consul in Macau since 2000 and Hong Kong since 2004.

In late 2005, Bhutan claimed that Chinese soldiers were building roads and bridges within Bhutanese territory. Bhutanese Foreign Minister Khandu Wangchuk took up the matter with Chinese authorities after the issue was raised in the Bhutanese parliament. In response, Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang of the People's Republic of China has said that the border remains in dispute and that the two sides are continuing to work for a peaceful and cordial resolution of the dispute. The Bhutanese newspaper Kuensel has said that China might use the roads to further Chinese claims along the border.

Bangladesh

Main article: Bangladesh-Bhutan relations

Bangladesh is one of only two nations to maintain a residential embassy in Thimphu. Bhutan was the first country in the world to recognize Bangladeshi independence in 1971. The two states have agreed to develop hydropower in the Himalayas, as well as initiate free trade and transhipment through Bangladeshi ports. They also cooperate in water resources management.

Both Bhutan and Bangladesh are members of SAARC and BIMSTEC.

Nepal

Main article: Bhutan-Nepal relations

Nepal and Bhutan established relations in 1983. However since 1992, relations with Nepal have been tense due to the repatriation of refugees from Bhutan.

Pakistan

Main article: Bhutan-Pakistan relations

Pakistan and Bhutan established relations in 1988.

Russia

Main article: Bhutan–Russia relations

Bhutan has no diplomatic relations with Russia.

South Korea

High-level Exchanges From Bhutan to the South Korean 1994 July External Affairs Minister Tshering 1995 May External Affairs Minister Tshering 1998 October External Affairs Minister Tshering 2002 September Industry and Commerce Minister K. Wangchuk 2005 May Ambassador to Korea Jigme Tshultim 2006 November Housing and Engineering Minister Kinzang Dorji 2007 February Culture Minister Jigmi Thinley 2007 April Public Prosecutor General Damcho Dorji 2007 June Information and Communication Minister Leki Dorji (ACD) 2010 October Ambassador to Korea Bap Kesang 2014 January Information and Communication Minister Lyonpo Dungyel 2014 August Agriculture Vice Minister Tenzin Dhendup.

Other countries

Bhutan maintains diplomatic relations with sixteen European nations: Andorra; Austria; Belgium; Czech Republic; Denmark; Finland; Luxembourg; the Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Serbia; Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain (with whom it established relations in February 2011); Sweden; and Switzerland, which form the "Friends of Bhutan" group, along with Japan, which contributes towards development projects in Bhutan.

In addition to Bangladesh, India, Japan, Nepal, and Pakistan, Bhutan maintains diplomatic relations with nineteen other Asian nations: Afghanistan; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Bahrain; Burma; Indonesia; Kazakhstan; Kuwait; the Maldives; Mongolia; Oman; Singapore; South Korea; Sri Lanka; Tajikistan; Thailand; Turkey; the United Arab Emirates; and Vietnam, as well as with Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Egypt, Fiji, Mauritius, Morocco, South Korea and Swaziland. Other countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, have no formal diplomatic relations with Bhutan, but maintain informal contact through their respective embassies in New Delhi and Bhutanese Permanent mission to the United Nations in New York City. The United Kingdom has an Honorary Consul resident in Thimphu.

Transnational issues

Bhutan has relations with other nations based on transnational issues. Among these issues are extradition, terrorism, and refugees. To a limited extent, Bhutanese law provides frameworks for cooperation with countries with which Bhutan has no formal mission.

Extradition

Bhutan has a legislated policy on extradition of criminals, both to and from the kingdom. Any nation, with or without formal relations, may request the extradition of fugitives who abscond to Bhutan. The Extradition Act requires nations to provide "all relevant evidence and information" about the accused, after which the Royal Government may in its discretion refer the matter to the High Court of Bhutan. The Court may then issue a summons or warrant, conduct an inquiry, and collect evidence, holding the accused for a maximum of 30 days. Alternatively, the Royal Government may refer the matter to the courts for trial within Bhutan. Bhutan imposes punishments for offenses committed in treaty states generally, and for offenses in other states resulting in return to Bhutan. Offenses are weighed according to gravity, determined by a schedule and two-part test: extraditable offenses are those enumerated (including murder, theft, forgery, and smuggling), or which in Bhutan would be punished by a prison term exceeding twelve months. All felonies in Bhutan are punishable by a minimum of three years' imprisonment.

Bhutan will refuse requests for extradition if the Royal Government or its courts determine the person is accused of a political offense.

International terrorism

Bhutan cooperates with India to expel Indian Nagaland separatists; lacking any treaty describing the boundary, Bhutan and China continue negotiations to establish a common boundary alignment to resolve territorial disputes arising from substantial cartographic discrepancies, the largest of which lie in Bhutan's northwest and along the Chumbi salient.

Refugee resettlement

The U.S. has offered to resettle 60,000 of the 107,000 Bhutanese refugees of Nepalese origin now living in seven U.N. refugee camps in southeastern Nepal. Six other nations—Australia, Canada, Norway, Netherlands, New Zealand and Denmark—have offered to resettle 10,000 each.

Other countries also operate resettlement programs in the camps. Norway has already settled 200 Bhutanese refugees, and Canada has agreed to accept up to 5,000 through to 2012.

Diplomatic relations and missions

See also

• List of diplomatic missions of Bhutan
• List of diplomatic missions in Bhutan

Notes and references

1. Bhutan Bilateral relations Bhutan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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4. "Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan (English)" (PDF). Government of Bhutan. 2008-07-18. Retrieved 2010-10-13.
5. "Indo-Bhutan Friendship Treaty" (PDF). Government of India.
6. "Treaty of 1949". Government of India. 1949.
7. "中国不丹同意平等友好协商早日解决边界问题". China.com News. 2005-12-01. Retrieved 2011-03-29. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
8. Hindustan times article

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10. http://www.mofa.go.kr/ENG/countries/asiapacific/countries/20071018/1_24406.jsp?menu=m_30_10
11. Dorji, Gyalsten K (2011-02-15). "Bhutan establishes ties with Spain". Kuensel. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
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29. "Establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Bhutan and the Republic of Azerbaijan". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
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31. "Embassy of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Thimphu". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bangladesh). Retrieved 2008-08-06.
32. "Bhutan establishes diplomatic relations with Brazil". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bhutan). Retrieved 2009-12-17.
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35. "History of CCO". Canadian Cooperation Office. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
36. "CCOLOMBIA Y EL REINO DE BUTÁN ESTABLECEN RELACIONES DIPLOMÁTICAS". Cancilleria de Colombia. Retrieved 2012-12-22.
37. "Cuba and Bhutan settled Diplomatic Relations". Cuba Headlines. Retrieved 2011-09-30.
38. "Message from Ambassador". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Denmark). Retrieved 2008-08-06.
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42. ^ "Finland's Embassy, New Delhi". Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Finland). Retrieved 2008-08-07.
43. "Embassy of India, Thimphu". Embassy of India in Thimphu. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
44. "Consulate General of India,Phuentsholing, Bhutan". Embassy of India in Thimphu. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
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52. ^ . Kuensel. 31 March 2008 http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=10116. Retrieved 2008-08-07. {{cite news}}: |url= missing title (help)
53. "Bhutan formalises Diplomatic Relations with the Republic of Mauritius". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan. Retrieved 2012-06-13.
54. "BhuDIPLOMATIC RELATIONS ESTABLISHED WITH BHUTAN". M.A.D. Investment Solutions. Retrieved 2012-01-25.
55. "Bhutan formalises Diplomatic Relations with the Republic of Cuba, Republic of Fiji and the Kingdom of Morocco". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
56. "Establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Bhutan and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan. Retrieved 2012-03-17.
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59. ^ "Welcome to the Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands in New Delhi, India". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Netherlands). Retrieved 2008-08-07.
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64. "Establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Bhutan and the Sultanate of Oman". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan. Retrieved 2013-03-21.
65. "Establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Bhutan and the Republic of Poland". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan. Retrieved 2012-12-01.
66. ^ "Embassy of the Republic of Singapore - Bhutan". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Singapore). Retrieved 2008-08-07.
67. ^ "Bhutan". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Singapore). Retrieved 2008-08-07.
68. ^ "Bhutan Establishes diplomatic relations with the Slovak Republic and the Republic of Turkey". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan. Retrieved 2012-10-03.
69. "Establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Bhutan and the Republic of Slovenia". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan. Retrieved 2012-09-18.
70. ^ "High Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka , New Delhi , India". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Sri Lanka). Retrieved 2008-08-07.
71. ^ "About the Embassy". Embassy of Sweden in New Delhi. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
72. ^ "The Stockholm Diplomatic List, June 2008" (PDF). Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Sweden). Retrieved 2008-08-07.
73. ^ "Swiss representation: Bhutan". Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (Switzerland). Retrieved 2008-08-07.
74. "Representations in Switzerland". Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (Switzerland). Retrieved 2008-08-07.
75. "Helvetas Bhutan". Helvetas Bhutan. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
76. "Establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Bhutan and the Republic of Tajikistan". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
77. "About the consulate". Royal Thai Consulate in Thimphu. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
78. "Establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Bhutan and the United Arab Emirates". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan. Retrieved 2012-09-18.
79. "Diplomatic ties with Bhutan established". Viet Nam News. Retrieved 2012-01-21.

 This article incorporates public domain material from U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets. United States Department of State.

Further reading

• Marian Gallenkamp (2010). "Between China, India and the Refugees: Understanding Bhutan's National Security Scenario" (PDF). Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS). Retrieved 2013-02-05.

See also

• List of diplomatic missions of Bhutan
• Bhutan House

External links

• "Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Royal Government of Bhutan". Government of Bhutan. Retrieved 2011-03-29.

v t e Bhutanese law
Sources	Constitution of Bhutan Treaties Acts
Institutions and agencies	Attorney General Judicial system: Royal Court of Justice Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs: Police and prisons Parliament
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v t e Foreign relations of Bhutan
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• Foreign relations of Bhutan