Foreign relations of Bhutan

Bhutan has diplomatic relations with 56 of 193 member states of the United Nations and the European Union.^[1]^[2] Bhutan's limited number of such relations, including the absence of formal relations with any of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, is part of a deliberate isolationist policy of limiting foreign influence in the state.^[3] This stance has been safeguarded by close relations with India, of which Bhutan has previously been considered a protected state.^[3]^[4]

In 1971, sponsored by India, Bhutan began to develop its foreign relations by joining the United Nations. 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 the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Bhutan is currently a member of 45 international organizations.^[5]

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.^[6]

^ "Bilateral relations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bhutan. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
^ "Establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Bhutan and the Kingdom of Lesotho". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bhutan. 29 October 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
^ ^a ^b Chaudhury, Dipanjan Roy. "Bhutan doesn't have diplomatic ties with any of the 5 UNSC permanent members". The Economic Times. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
^ Bedjaoui, Mohammed (1991), International Law: Achievements and Prospects, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, pp. 51–, ISBN 92-3-102716-6: "The Treaty of Friendship of 8 August 1949 between Bhutan and India is an example of the creation of a protected State, Bhutan, with a quite loose relationship to the protecting State, India. By the terms of this Treaty of Friendship, Bhutan agreed to follow the guidance given by India in so far as external relations were concerned. India was not granted the power to exercise diplomatic rights on behalf of Bhutan and this way Bhutan remained in charge of its foreign policy."
^ "Foreign Relation and Trade". Bhutan Portal online. Government of Bhutan. Archived from the original on 16 April 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
^ "Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan (English)" (PDF). Government of Bhutan. 18 July 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2010.