Bhutan – The Diplomat

Indian Foreign Secretary Visits Bhutan as New Government Tales Charge

Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 10:17:00 +0900

The Indian foreign secretary’s visit came as the new Bhutanese government is preparing to work out its complex border issues with China.

Bhutan’s Long Journey Into the World Trade Organization

Ladislav Charouz — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 22:47:00 +0900

25 years after Bhutan first applied to join the WTO, recent developments seem to be giving Thimphu a final push.

Gelephu: The World’s First Mindfulness City Is in Bhutan

Namgay Zam — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 03:09:00 +0900

The city is envisioned as Bhutan’s new economic hub – an opportunity to capitalize on the economic corridor linking South Asia to Southeast Asia.

People’s Democratic Party Wins Elections in Bhutan

Santosh Sharma Poudel — Sun, 14 Jan 2024 20:41:00 +0900

Unlike in other parts of South Asia, where elections are plagued with controversy, Bhutan’s fourth general election was peaceful and not divisive.

What’s Next for Bhutan After Its Election

Shannon Tiezzi — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 23:49:00 +0900

Tenzing Lamsang, editor of The Bhutanese, discusses why voters chose the PDP and what the new government has planned, particularly for Bhutan's ailing economy.

The State of South Asia in 2023

Mimrah Abdul Ghafoor — Fri, 29 Dec 2023 18:56:00 +0900

The year was dominated by elections, and political and economic instability. Amid the bad news, India landed a spacecraft near the Moon’s south pole.

Economic Revival is on the Minds of Bhutanese Voters

Santosh Sharma Poudel — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 13:33:00 +0900

The final round of Bhutan’s fourth general election on January 9 will be a contest between the PDP and the BTP.

Bhutan Takes Another Step Forward on Democratic Path

Mimrah Abdul Ghafoor — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 16:21:00 +0900

Voting in the first phase of elections to the National Assembly – the fourth since the Himalayan kingdom democratized in 2008 – will take place on November 30.

Erika Fatland on Traveling in the Himalayas

Akhilesh Pillalamarri — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 10:05:00 +0900

“Many of the people in the Himalayas live more isolated now than they did a hundred years ago.”

Crypto Mining in the Himalayas: Bhutan’s Gamble With Bitcoin

Joe Wallen and Tushar Shetty — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 23:29:00 +0900

Beyond the Indus podcast hosts Joe Wallen and Tushar Shetty explore how Bhutan is quietly gearing up to become the world's next Bitcoin superpower.

Medha Bisht on Understanding the China-Bhutan Boundary Dispute

Sudha Ramachandran — Mon, 01 May 2023 15:32:00 +0900

“Territory is not being ceded by Bhutan. Rather, China has built a strong shi (strategic advantage) for itself by creating border infrastructure.”

Bhutanese King’s Visit to India Spotlights Superpower Border Tensions

Ladislav Charouz — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 23:54:00 +0900

Bhutan faces a Himalayan version of China’s salami slicing tactics – and concerns from India about Thimphu giving up too much.

Prices Rose and Protests Convulsed South Asia in 2022

Sudha Ramachandran — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 23:29:00 +0900

Depleting foreign exchange reserves forced several countries, including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, to turn to the IMF.

The Paradox of Bhutan’s Australian Dream

Yedzin Tobgay — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 04:31:00 +0900

Bhutan’s brain drain speaks to a number of social issues facing the Himalayan nation, but even migrants remain deeply rooted in their Bhutanese identity.

China Steps Up Activity Along Himalayan Borders as Land Border Law Comes Into Effect

Liam Gibson — Thu, 24 Feb 2022 17:50:00 +0900

The new law is a tool for Beijing to further expand its sovereignty into its neighbors’ domains.

Without Vaccine Equity, the World Could Remain Stuck in Pandemic Limbo

Niha Dagia — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 12:32:00 +0900

On the cusp of a triumph over the coronavirus, the world snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

2021 Was a Bad Year for Democracy in South Asia

Niha Dagia — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 15:57:00 +0900

The pandemic made it easier for governments to justify authoritarian measures, including crackdowns on the media and excessive surveillance.

Bhutan-China Border Negotiations in Context

Jianli Yang — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 08:18:00 +0900

What is behind the latest announcement about resumed border talks between Bhutan and China?

Bhutan’s Vaccination Program Scales New Heights

Wasbir Hussain and Rishi Lekhi — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 23:06:00 +0900

The Himalayan kingdom fully vaccinated 90 percent of eligible adults within a week.

Poor Access to Safe Abortions Is Killing South Asian Women

Bansari Kamdar — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 21:27:00 +0900

Even in countries where abortion is legal, access to safe abortions remains challenging

Bhutan’s Health Minister on Navigating the Pandemic as a Small State

Bansari Kamdar — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 02:19:00 +0900

Dechen Wangmo, the 44-year-old health minister of Bhutan and the newly elected president of the World Health Assembly, shares her goals for advancing world health.

Why Did Japan Award Bhutan’s Dago Tshering with the Order of the Rising Sun?

TP Mishra — Mon, 10 May 2021 23:05:00 +0900

An international award for a man many view as responsible for a generation of ethnic cleansing pain.

Bhutan Vaccinates 93% of Adults in 16 Days

Associated Press — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 00:44:00 +0900

In just over two weeks, Bhutan has vaccinated more of its population than any country in the world but the Seychelles.

‘Timber Mafia’ From India Running Amok in Bhutan

Rajeev Bhattacharyya — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 15:35:00 +0900

Illegal logging is depleting forest cover in the region, aggravating the fallout from climate change.

Bhutan: India First, But Not India Alone?

Prin Shasiharan — Fri, 25 Dec 2020 00:50:00 +0900

While slowly diversifying its basket of economic and diplomatic relationships, Bhutan continues to remain a steadfast Indian ally.

Was India’s Special Frontier Force Engaged in Bhutan’s Operation All Clear to Flush Out Militants?

StoriesAsia — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 15:12:00 +0900

A 2019 court judgement against an Assamese militant note presents new evidence.

China’s Bhutan Gambit

Sudha Ramachandran — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 04:44:00 +0900

Beijing is upping the pressure for a land swap deal to settle the China-Bhutan border, in hopes of gaining an advantage over India.

What’s Behind China’s Expansion of Its Territorial Dispute With Bhutan?

Ankit Panda — Mon, 06 Jul 2020 06:33:00 +0900

Beijing may be trying to drive a wedge between India and Bhutan.

The Hope and Struggles of Bhutan’s Women Vegetable Vendors

Roderick Wijunamai and Kinley Yangchen — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 23:25:00 +0900

In recent years, self-reported profits were already on a downward trend at the Centenary Farmers’ Market in Thimphu. Then came COVID-19.

What Explains Bhutan’s Success Battling COVID-19?

Sonam Ongmo and Tej Parikh — Fri, 08 May 2020 23:05:00 +0900

The under-resourced nation’s response, led by science and quick preventative action, has been fortified by its traditional communal values.

Bhutan’s Lawmakers Urged to Decriminalize Homosexuality

StoriesAsia — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 23:33:00 +0900

Bhutan’s upper house of parliament is set to deliberate a bill that could decriminalize homosexuality in the country.

India-Bhutan Ties Are Thriving

Sumit Kumar — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 22:47:00 +0900

Bhutan has been a time-tested friend to India, but Delhi could do more to address Bhutanese concerns.

India-Bhutan Relations: Leveraging Ladakh

Stanzin Lhaskyabs — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 23:31:00 +0900

With Bhutan maturing as a democratic country, India should take this opportunity to further strengthen ties.

The Geopolitics of Language in the Himalayas

Gerald Roche and Lauren Gawne — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 23:24:00 +0900

The Himalayas are a global center for linguistic diversity. But that diversity is at risk.

The Political Geography of the India-China Crisis at Doklam

Ankit Panda — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 11:00:00 +0900

Explaining the political geography at the center of a serious India-China standoff in the Himalayas.

Journalist Namgay Zam Leaves Bhutan: Brain Drain in Action

Vishal Arora — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 09:32:00 +0900

The Diplomat visited Zam in Kathmandu to speak to her about her decision to leave Bhutan.

The Case for Stronger Bhutanese-American Ties

Matthew F. Ferraro — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 23:16:00 +0900

There is a compelling argument for strengthening ties with the tiny kingdom of Bhutan.

Bhutan: The Indian Army’s Front Line

Victor Robert Lee — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 22:07:00 +0900

Strategically located, the tiny Himalayan country is at the center of growing tensions between two great powers.

Bhutan's Struggling Media

Vishal Arora — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 11:41:00 +0900

Despite high hopes, journalism in Bhutan has struggled during its democratic transition.

Bhutan and the Great Power Tussle

Brian Benedictus — Sat, 02 Aug 2014 12:23:00 +0900

Both China and India recognize Bhutan’s strategic value, but their approaches are very different.

Bhutan’s Human Rights Record Defies ‘Happiness’ Claim

Vishal Arora — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 18:03:00 +0900

The UNHRC is looking at Bhutan’s record on human rights. It is less than stellar.

The Bhutan Inssurgencies

Thu, 07 May 2009 00:00:00 +0900

The cliff-perched fortresses that dot Bhutan’s mountainous perimeter serve as a testimony to a longstanding effort to keep out foreigners.