Israel today established diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Bhutan, the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced today. The Ambassadors of Israel and Bhutan to India signed the diplomatic agreement today on behalf of the two countries, which are small, predominantly Buddhist Himalayan kingdoms.
Reuters reported that Israel’s new relationship with the relatively isolated Himalayan kingdom appears to be unrelated to Israel’s ongoing efforts to establish new ties with Arab and Muslim countries in the Middle East and Africa.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that Israel and Bhutan have finally reached an agreement to establish diplomatic relations after years of secret contacts aimed at building relations.
Israel’s diplomatic circle of recognition is growing and expanding,” said Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi. The establishment of our relationship with the Kingdom of Bhutan will be another milestone in the deepening of Israel’s relations in Asia,” said Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry noted that Bhutan maintains formal diplomatic relations with only 53 countries.
Israel and Bhutan agreed to develop a joint work plan in water management, agriculture, health care and other areas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the diplomatic agreement, saying “we are in contact with other countries that want to join and establish relations with us.
Israel and Morocco agreed to normalize relations two days ago, an agreement brokered with U.S. assistance, making Morocco the fourth Arab country to set aside hostilities and normalize relations with Israel in the past four months, with the other three being the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan.
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