Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade RGOB
๐๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ก๐ฎ๐ญ๐๐ง-๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐๐ง๐ง๐ฎ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐ฎ๐ฆ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ข๐ซ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐ข๐๐๐ฌ
The 7th Annual Bilateral Consultations between the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of Australia was held in Canberra on 12 November 2026. The Bhutanese delegation was led by Mr. Pema Lektup Dorji, Foreign Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Australian delegation was led by Ms. Michelle Chan, Deputy Secretary, South and Southeast Asia, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia.
The two sides welcomed the positive developments in Bhutan-Australia bilateral relations, marked by increased exchanges of high-level visits and growing people-to-people ties. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the partnership based on mutual interests and shared values.
The consultations provided an opportunity to review bilateral relations, assess progress in existing areas of cooperation and identify priorities for further engagement as well as commemorative activities to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bhutan and Australia in 2027. Discussions covered economic cooperation, including trade, investment, education and skills development, development cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and multilateral cooperation.
During the visit, the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of Australia also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Air Services. The MoU was signed by Kutshab Pema Tshomo on behalf of the Royal Government and Mr. Jim Wolfe Assistant Secretary, International Aviation, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts, on behalf of the Government of Australia, in the presence of Foreign Secretary Pema Lektup Dorji.
The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation in air services between Bhutan and Australia and reflects the shared commitment to facilitating greater connectivity and creating opportunities for increased travel, tourism, trade and people-to-people exchanges.
While in Australia, the Foreign Secretary will also meet with Bhutanโs Honorary Consuls and representatives of Bhutanese Associations.
