Foreign Relations of Bhutan

Nestled high in the Himalaya between India and China, the tiny monarchy of Bhutan (population 682,321) is not one for foreign relationship. It is fairly isolationist and maintains relationships with only 22 countries. In April 2008 Bhutan became a constitutional monarchy with elections after many years as an absolute monarchy.

Only two countries maintain permanent residential embassies in Thimphu, Bhutan's capital – India and Bangladesh. India and Bangladesh are, by far, Bhutan's leading trade partners. Bhutan has four embassies – in India, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Kuwait. Bhutan also maintains United Nations representation offices in New York and Geneva.

Bhutan does not maintain diplomatic relationships with the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, and not even with its neighbor China.

The U.K. explains their relationship with Bhutan as, "The UK does not have diplomatic relations with Bhutan though we are willing to do so in principle. Bilateral relations are friendly and we conduct business with Bhutan through our High Commission in New Delhi and via the Bhutanese Honorary Consul who is based six months of the year in Thimphu."

The U.S. explains, "There is no U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Bhutan. Although no formal diplomatic relations exist between the United States and Bhutan, informal contact is maintained through the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India."

Bhutan is an interesting kingdom living in a less diplomatically connected age.