Establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Bhutan and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

The Kingdom of Bhutan and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, wishing to strengthen and develop mutually beneficial relations between their countries and peoples have established formal diplomatic relations with effect from 20 April 2010. The Joint Communiqué on the establishment of diplomatic relations was signed between H.E. Mr. Lhatu Wangchuk, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bhutan to the United Nations in New York, on behalf of the Royal Government of Bhutan, and H.E. Mr. Zahir Tanin, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the United Nations in New York, on behalf of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, on 20 April 2010, at the Permanent Mission of Bhutan in New York.

Following the signing ceremony, the two Ambassadors exchanged views on areas of mutual cooperation and expressed the desire of their governments to cooperate closely in areas of mutual benefit. With the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two Ambassadors also expressed the desire to further deepen the present level of cooperation between the two countries at the UN and at other multilateral forums.

With the establishment of diplomatic relations with Afghanistan, Bhutan now has diplomatic relations with all the member countries of SAARC. The event is significant as it comes just prior to Bhutan hosting the Sixteenth SAARC Summit in Thimphu from 28 – 29 April 2010 where Afghanistan, which became a member of SAARC in 2007, will also be participating. Bhutan now has diplomatic relations with 24 countries and the European Union.

20 April 2010.