Foreign relations of Bhutan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Foreign Relations of
Bhutan

Flag of Bhutan

Independence August 8, 1949
Joined UN September 21, 1971
Bhutan

This article is part of the series:
Politics and government of
Bhutan
Other countries · Atlas
 Politics Portal
view • talk • edit

Bhutan, being a small country, has a limited number of formal diplomatic relations. Currently, Bhutan has foreign relations with 22 other countries.

In 1971, sponsored by India, Bhutan began to develop its foreign relations by joining the UN, though it has no diplomatic relations with any of the permanent members on the UN Security Council. In 1981, Bhutan joined IMF and World Bank, followed by the World Health Organisation and UNESCO in 1982. It is also an active member of SAARC. Bhutan is currently a member of 45 international organisations. [1]

Contents

[edit] India

Main article: Suzerainty#Bhutan

Historically, ties with India have been close. Both countries signed a Friendship treaty in 1949, where India would assist Bhutan in foreign relations. On February 8, 2007, the Indo-Bhutan Friendship TreatyPDF (30.6 KiB) was substantially revised under the Bhutanese King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Whereas 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 it 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.

[edit] People's Republic of China

Bhutan has no diplomatic relations with its northern neighbour, the People's Republic of China. The border between Bhutan and China is 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 a consulate 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 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 continue to work for a peaceful and cordial resolution of the dispute [2]; an Indian intelligence officer has also said that a Chinese delegation in Bhutan told the Bhutanese that they were overreacting. The Bhutanese newspaper Kuensel has said that China might use the roads to further Chinese claims along the border. [3]

[edit] Nepal

Since 1992, relations with Nepal have been tense due to the repatriation of refugees from Bhutan. [4]

[edit] Bangladesh

Along with India, it is one of the only two nations to have a residential embassy in Bhutan. The relationship between Bhutan and Bangladesh have always been positive since 1971 when the former became one of the first countries to recognise Bangladesh after gaining independence from Pakistan.

[edit] EU

Bhutan has diplomatic relations with Austria, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands and Sweden. It has non-resident diplomatic relations with the EU via its Ambassador to the UN based in Geneva, though it may establish an office in Brussels. [5]

[edit] Foreign embassies and consulates in Bhutan

Source: http://www.embassypages.com/bhutan.php

See also

[edit] Bhutan has diplomatic relations with the following countries

The United States of America and the United Kingdom maintain informal relations with Bhutan via the embassies of the two countries in New Delhi. Only India and Bangladesh have residential embassies in Bhutan. [6]

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ^ Government of Bhutan - International organisations
  2. ^ China news article
  3. ^ Hindustan times article
  4. ^ Public domain article
  5. ^ British Foreign & Commonwealth Office
  6. ^ Government of Bhutan - Foreign relations

[edit] External links

v • d • e
International ties of Bhutan
Nations UK Flag
Geographical and geopolitical
International organisations
v • d • e
Foreign relations of Asia
1 Transcontinental country.  2 Only recognised by Turkey.  3 Not fully independent.
Languages