- Foreign relations of Bhutan
-
Bhutan
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Bhutan has diplomatic relations with 25 states, and with the European Union.[1]
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 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.[2]
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.[3]
Contents
India
Main article: Bhutan–India relationsHistorically, 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[4] 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."[5] 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
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Main article: Bhutan-People's Republic of 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.[6] The Bhutanese newspaper Kuensel has said that China might use the roads to further Chinese claims along the border.[7]
Nepal
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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.[8]
Bangladesh
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Main article: Bangladesh-Bhutan relations
Bangladesh is one of only two nations (the other is India) to have a residential embassy in Bhutan. The relationship between Bhutan and Bangladesh has always been positive since 1971 when the Bhutan became the first country to recognize Bangladesh after it gained independence from Pakistan. Both Bhutan and Nepal see Bangladesh as a means to access the ocean and an opportunity to lessen dependence on India and China.
Other countries
Bhutan maintains diplomatic relations with nine European nations: Austria; Belgium; Denmark; Finland; the Netherlands; Norway; Spain (with whom it established relations in February 2011[9]); 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 and Nepal, Bhutan maintains diplomatic relations with nine other Asian nations: Afghanistan; Bahrain; Kuwait; the Maldives; Pakistan; Singapore; South Korea; Sri Lanka; and Thailand, as well as with Australia, Brazil and Canada. 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 honorary consulates in London and Washington, D.C.[10]
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.[11] All felonies in Bhutan are punishable by a minimum of three years' imprisonment.[12]
Bhutan will refuse requests for extradition if the Royal Government or its courts determine the person is accused of a political offense.[11]
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
Main article: Bhutanese refugeesThe 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.[13]
Other countries also operate resettlement programs in the camps.[14] Norway has already settled 200 Bhutanese refugees, and Canada has agreed to accept up to 5,000 through to 2012.[15]
Diplomatic relations and missions
COUNTRY YEAR RELATIONS
ESTABLISHED[16]MISSION TO BHUTAN LOCATION MISSION OF BHUTAN LOCATION NOTES Afghanistan 2010 Yes [17] Australia 2002 Yes New Delhi[18] Yes Bangkok[19] - The ambassador of the Australian High Commission in New Delhi is accredited to Bhutan.[18]
- The ambassador the Bhutanese Embassy in Bangkok is accredited to Australia.[19]
- Bhutan has an honorary consulate in Sydney.[20]
Austria 1989 Yes New Delhi[21] Yes Geneva[22] - The ambassador of the Permanent Mission of Bhutan to the United Nations in Geneva is accredited to Austria.[22]
- The ambassador of the Austrian Embassy in New Delhi is accredited to Bhutan.[21]
- The Austrian Development Agency maintains an office in Thimphu.[23]
Bahrain 1992 Yes Kuwait City[24] Bangladesh 1973 Yes Thimphu[25] Yes Dhaka[17] Belgium 2009 Yes Brussels[17] - Bhutanese Ambassador to Belgium is also accredited to Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden and the European Union and the European Commission
Brazil 2009[26] Yes Canada 2003 Yes New Delhi[27] Yes New York City[28] - The ambassador of the Permanent Mission of Bhutan in New York City is accredited to Canada.[28]
- The ambassador of the High Commission of Canada in New Delhi is accredited to Bhutan.[27]
- The University of New Brunswick operates the Canadian Cooperation Office in Thimphu on behalf of the Canadian International Development Agency.[29]
Cuba 2011[30] Denmark 1985 Yes New Delhi[31] Yes Brussels Main article: Bhutan–Denmark relationsEuropean Union 1985 Yes New Delhi[32] Yes Brussels Finland 1986 Yes New Delhi[33] Yes Brussels - The ambassador of the Finnish Embassy in New Delhi is accredited to Bhutan.[33]
- The ambassador of the Embassy of Bhutan to Belgium in Brussels is accredited to Finland.
India 1968 Yes Thimphu[34] Yes New Delhi[17] - India also maintains a consulate-general in Phuntsholing which was upgraded from a representative office on 17 February 2007.[35]
Japan 1986 Yes New Delhi[36] - The Japanese Embassy in New Delhi is accredited to Bhutan.[36]
- The embassy of Bhutan in New Delhi is accredited to Japan [37]
- The Japan International Cooperation Agency has an office in Thimphu.[38]
Kuwait 1983 Yes Thimphu Yes Kuwait City[17] Maldives 1984 Yes Dhaka[39] - The ambassador of Bhutanese Embassy in Dhaka is accredited to Maldives.[39]
Nepal 1983 Yes New Delhi[40] Yes New Delhi[41] - The ambassador of the Bhutanese Embassy in New Delhi is accredited to Nepal.[41]
- The ambassador of the Nepalese Embassy in New Delhi is accredited to Bhutan.[40]
Netherlands 1985 Yes New Delhi[42] Yes Brussels Norway 1985 Yes New Delhi[45] Yes Geneva[46] - The ambassador of the Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi is accredited to Bhutan.[45]
- The ambassador of the Permanent Mission of Bhutan to the United Nations in Geneva is accredited to Norway.[46]
Pakistan 1988 South Korea 1987 Yes New Delhi[47] - The ambassador of the Bhutanese Embassy in Dhaka is accredited to South Korea [48]
- The ambassador of the South Korean Embassy in New Delhi is accredited to Bhutan.[47]
- Bhutan has an honorary consulate in Seoul[20]
Singapore 2002 Yes New Delhi[49] Yes Bangkok[50] - The ambassador of the Bhutanese Embassy in Bangkok is accredited to Singapore.[50]
- The ambassador of the Singaporean embassy in New Delhi is accredited to Bhutan.[49]
Spain 2011 Yes New Delhi Sri Lanka 1987 Yes New Delhi[51] Yes Dhaka[39] - The ambassador of the Sri Lankan High Commission in New Delhi is accredited to Bhutan.[51]
- The ambassador of the Bhutanese Embassy in Dhaka is accredited to Sri Lanka.[39]
- Bhutan has an honorary consulate in Colombo[20]
Sweden 1985 Yes New Delhi[52] Yes Geneva[53] - The ambassador of the Swedish embassy in New Delhi is accredited to Bhutan.[52]
- The ambassador of the Permanent Mission of Bhutan to the United Nations in Geneva is accredited to Sweden.[53]
Switzerland 1985 Yes New Delhi[54] Yes Geneva[17] - The ambassador of the Swiss embassy in New Delhi is accredited to Bhutan.[54]
- The ambassador of the Permanent Mission of Bhutan to the United Nations in Geneva is accredited to Switzerland.[55]
- Helvetas has an office in Bhutan.[56]
Thailand 1989 Yes Bangkok[17] - Thailand has an honorary consulate in Thimphu.[57]
Main article: Bhutan-Thailand relationsNotes and references
- ^ Bhutan Bilateral relations Bhutan Ministry of Foreign Affairs website and Establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Bhutan and the Kingdom of Spain Bhutan Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, 11 February 2011
- ^ "Foreign Relation and Trade". Bhutan Portal online. Government of Bhutan. http://www.bhutan.gov.bt/government/abt_foreign.php. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
- ^ "Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan (English)" (PDF). Government of Bhutan. 2008-07-18. http://www.constitution.bt/TsaThrim%20Eng%20(A5).pdf. Retrieved 2010-10-13.
- ^ "Indo-Bhutan Friendship Treaty" (PDF). Government of India. http://www.mea.gov.in/pressrelease/2007/03/treaty.pdf.
- ^ "Treaty of 1949". Government of India. 1949. http://mea.gov.in/treatiesagreement/1949/chap26.htm.
- ^ "中国不丹同意平等友好协商早日解决边界问题 [China and Bhutan agree to equal and friendly consultations to resolve the border issue as soon as possible]". China.com News. 2005-12-01. http://news.china.com/zh_cn/domestic/945/20051201/12906175.html. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
- ^ Hindustan times article[dead link]
- ^ This article incorporates public domain material from the Library of Congress Country Studies document "Nepal".
- ^ Dorji, Gyalsten K (2011-02-15). "Bhutan establishes ties with Spain". Kuensel. http://www.kuenselonline.com/2010/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=18408. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
- ^ "Overseas Embassies and Consulates of Bhutan". Go Abroad.com. http://www.embassiesabroad.com/embassies-of/Bhutan#18596. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
- ^ a b "Extradition Act, 1989 (1991)" (PDF). Government of Bhutan. 1991. http://oag.gov.bt/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Extradiction-Act-of-Bhutan-1991-English.pdf. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
- ^ "Penal Code of Bhutan" (PDF). Government of Bhutan. 2004-08-11. http://www.nationalcouncil.bt/images/stories/PCode_En_04.pdf. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
- ^ "First of 60,000 refugees from Bhutan arrive in U.S.". CNN. 25 March 2008. http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/03/25/bhutan.refugees/. Retrieved 6 September 2009.
- ^ IRIN (10 November 2008). "Nepal: Bhutanese refugees find new life beyond the camps". UNHCR Refworld. http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/publisher,IRIN,,BTN,491946b81e,0.html. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
- ^ Government of Canada (9 December 2008). "Resettling Bhutanese Refugees – Update on Canada’s Commitment". Citizenship and Immigration Canada. http://www.cic.gc.ca/EnGLIsh/refugees/outside/bhutanese.asp. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
- ^ "Bhutan's bilateral counterparts". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bhutan). http://www.mfa.gov.bt/index.php?categoryid=82. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Embassies and missions". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bhutan). http://www.mfa.gov.bt/index.php?categoryid=77. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
- ^ a b "Bhutan Country Brief - August 2008". Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/bhutan/bhutan_country_brief.html. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
- ^ a b "The Diplomatic List and List of Representatives of International Organisations". Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Archived from the original on 2008-07-18. http://web.archive.org/web/20080718175038/http://www.info.dfat.gov.au/Info/WebProtocol/WebProtocol.nsf/WebIDs/B5A64B02D6D718C6CA256E6C002998BF/$file/diplist.doc. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ a b c "Honorary consulates". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bhutan). http://www.mfa.gov.bt/index.php?categoryid=99. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
- ^ a b (German) "Austrian Representations - India". Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (Austria). http://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/foreign-ministry/service/austrian-representations-in-german.html?dv_staat=61&cHash=21b2eef97c#New%20Delhi. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ a b (German) "Verzeichnis des diplomatischen Korps und anderer Vertretungen in Österreich" (PDF). Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (Austria). http://www.bmeia.gv.at/fileadmin/user_upload/oracle/gesamtliste_de.pdf. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ "ADC Coordination offices". Austrian Development Agency. Archived from the original on 2008-08-01. http://web.archive.org/web/20080801074012/http://www.ada.gv.at/en/the-ada/organisation/adc-coordination-offices.html. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ a b "Foreign Minister Receives A Copy Of Credentials Of New Four Ambassadors" (Press release). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bahrain). 29 May 2008. http://www.mofa.gov.bh/MOFA/En/News/newsm-29-05-08-e.htm. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ "Embassy of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Thimphu". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bangladesh). http://www.mofa.gov.bd/lbra/bhutan.htm. Retrieved 2008-08-06.[dead link]
- ^ "Bhutan establishes diplomatic relations with Brazil". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bhutan). http://www.mfa.gov.bt/press-releases/bhutan-establishes-diplomatic-relations-with-brazil.html. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
- ^ a b "Canada-Bhutan Relations". Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. http://geo.international.gc.ca/asia/new-delhi/geo/bhutan-bb-en.aspx. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
- ^ a b "Heads of Missions". Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. http://w01.international.gc.ca/Protocol/main-en.asp?sScreen=Heads+of+Missions. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ "History of CCO". Canadian Cooperation Office. http://www.cco.org.bt/cco/canadabhutan.htm. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
- ^ "Cuba and Bhutan settled Diplomatic Relations". Cuba Headlines. http://www.cubaheadlines.com/2011/09/29/33972/cuba_and_bhutan_settled_diplomatic_relations.html. Retrieved 2011-09-30.
- ^ "Message from Ambassador". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Denmark). http://www.ambnewdelhi.um.dk/en/servicemenu/Contact/MessageFromAmbassador/. Retrieved 2008-08-06.[dead link]
- ^ a b "India, New Delhi". European Commission. http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/repdel/edelhrm/index.cfm?fuseaction=cRepDel.print_fiche&ToSearchDelegations=28&ToSearchTypeDelegations=-1,5,15,16,17,23,24,25,26&lang=EN&TYPETELECOM_PRINCIPALE=0&PERSONNEL_HEAD_OF_DELEGATION=10. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ a b "Finland's Embassy, New Delhi". Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Finland). http://formin.finland.fi/public/default.aspx?nodeid=16595&culture=en-US&contentlan=2. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ "Embassy of India, Thimphu". Embassy of India in Thimphu. http://www.indianembassythimphu.bt/. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
- ^ "Consulate General of India,Phuentsholing, Bhutan". Embassy of India in Thimphu. http://www.indianembassythimphu.bt/embassy_Laison.htm. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
- ^ a b "Embassy Addresses - Asia". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan). http://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/over/asia.html. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ "List of Embassies and Consulates-General of Japan (A to H)". Ministry of Foreign Affairs online. Government of Japan. http://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/protocol/a-h.html#B. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
- ^ "Bhutan". Japan International Cooperation Agency. http://www.jica.go.jp/bhutan/. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
- ^ a b c d ".". Kuensel. 31 March 2008. http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=10116. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ a b "Concurrent Accreditations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Nepal). Archived from the original on 2008-05-29. http://web.archive.org/web/20080529145127/http://www.mofa.gov.np/accreditations.php. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ a b "Nepal-Bhutan relations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Nepal). http://www.mofa.gov.np/bilateral/nepal-bhutan.php. Retrieved 2008-08-07.[dead link]
- ^ a b "Welcome to the Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands in New Delhi, India". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Netherlands). http://india.nlembassy.org/homepage. Retrieved 2008-08-07.[dead link]
- ^ "Welcome to SNV Bhutan". Netherlands Development Organisation. http://www.snv.org.bt/. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
- ^ "“Dutch-Bhutan relations have become more diverse”". Kuensel. 5 May 2008. http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=10330. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ a b "Welcome to the Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi". Embassy of Norway in New Delhi. Archived from the original on 2008-07-31. http://web.archive.org/web/20080731175139/http://www.norwayemb.org.in/info/Embassy.htm. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ a b "Oslo Diplomatic List" (PDF). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Norway). http://www.regjeringen.no/upload/UD/Vedlegg/Protokoll/odl080613.pdf. Retrieved 2008-08-07.[dead link]
- ^ a b "Press Release" (Press release). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Bhutan). 5 July 2007. http://www.mfa.gov.bt/index.php?categoryid=85&p2_articleid=28. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ Choden, Phuntsho (2007-05-05). "Kutshab to join BPUP". Kuensel. http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=8404. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
- ^ a b "Embassy of the Republic of Singapore - Bhutan". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Singapore). http://shinedom1.internet.gov.sg/mfa/dipCon/dipCon.nsf/SMDetailsAgent?OpenAgent&id=82. Retrieved 2008-08-07.[dead link]
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- ^ a b "About the Embassy". Embassy of Sweden in New Delhi. http://www.swedenabroad.com/Page____21587.aspx. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ a b "The Stockholm Diplomatic List, June 2008". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Sweden). http://www.sweden.gov.se/download/be284a3c.pdf?major=1&minor=24515&cn=attachmentPublDuplicator_0_attachment. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
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This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Department of State (Background Notes).
See also
- Diplomatic missions of Bhutan
- Bhutan House
External links
- "Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Royal Government of Bhutan". Government of Bhutan. http://www.mfa.gov.bt. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
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