Israel, Bhutan Establish Diplomatic Relations

On Saturday, Israel established relations with Bhutan, a Buddhist-majority nation adjacent to India, as it looks to continue to broaden its diplomatic ties internationally.

Israel's agreement with the Himalayan nation did not appear to be connected to its budding relations under US-sponsored agreements with Arab and Muslim countries, while Israeli officials tried to portray it as proof of its increasing acceptance abroad.

The agreement follows several years of secret contacts between Israel and Bhutan with the aim of establishing relations, Israel’s foreign ministry said in a statement, reports Reuters.

“Israel’s circle of recognition is growing and expanding,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said. “The establishment of relations between us and the Kingdom of Bhutan will serve as another milestone in deepening Israel’s ties in Asia.”

Bhutan relied on India to direct its foreign and defense policy until the Friendship Treaty was revised in 2007. It maintains diplomatic relations with approximately 53 countries.

The signing ceremony between the Israeli and Bhutanese ambassadors to India took place on Saturday at the Israeli embassy in New Delhi, a joint press release published on the website of the Bhutanese foreign ministry.

“The establishment of diplomatic relations (will) create new avenues for cooperation between the two countries in water management, technology, human resource development, agricultural sciences and other areas of mutual benefit,” it said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the agreement, adding there had been contacts with other countries that wanted to establish relations.

Israel and Morocco on Thursday agreed to normalise ties in a deal brokered with US help, making it the fourth Arab country after the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan to set aside hostilities with Israel in the past four months.