Bhutan-Bangladesh Relations

Relations between Bhutan and Bangladesh date back to the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent country in 1971. On 6th December 1971, Bhutan became the first country to recognize the independence of Bangladesh. The year 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Bhutan’s recognition of Bangladesh’s independence and the launching of the year-long celebrations to mark the special occasion was graced by the Prime Ministers of the two countries on 6 December 2020. As a gesture of profound gratitude and to cherish Bhutan’s contribution to the Liberation War, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the Third King of Bhutan, was posthumously awarded the Bangladesh Liberation War Honour in 2012.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on 12 May 1973. Mr. Rinchen Kuentsyl is the current resident Ambassador of Bhutan to Bangladesh. H.E. Mr. A.K.M. Shahidul Karim is the current resident Ambassador of Bangladesh to Bhutan.

Besides being close neighbours, Bhutan and Bangladesh enjoy mutually beneficial collaboration and engagements in the fields of trade, cultural cooperation, people-to-people contacts, human resource development, agriculture, healthcare, standards and civil aviation. Trade is the most visible aspect of the relations between the two countries, and Bangladesh is today the second biggest export destination for Bhutan and the eighth largest source market for imports. Apart from these bilateral engagements, Bhutan and Bangladesh also work together in regional and international fora.