Establishment of relations with Bhutan

Diplomatic relations between Bhutan and Australia were established in September 2002. A Joint Communique establishing formal diplomatic relations between the two countries was signed in New York on 14 September 2002 by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bhutan, H.E. Lyonpo Jigmi Y. Thinley and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia, H. E. Mr. Alexander Downer. The Australian government has conveyed that they would like to accredit their Ambassador in New Delhi to Bhutan if agreeable to Bhutan. Royal Government of Bhutan has yet to accredit an Ambassador to Australia.

Main areas of cooperation

Australian assistance to Bhutan started in 1960s with the main areas of cooperation being in HRD/Scholarships and in Animal Husbandry programmes. The total outlay of AustraliaÆs Development Cooperation budget for Bhutan for 2002-2003, will be AU$ 2.8 million including AU$ 1.8 million for the bilateral country programme. The bilateral country allocation will cover the costs of Bhutanese students already on award in Australia and provides funds for ætwelveÆ new awards in 2002-2003. Bhutanese have studied in Australia in the fields of financial management, telecommunications, applied science, computer science and education. Currently there are 12 undergraduate and 15 postgraduate students studying under AusAID, and another 40 students undergoing various courses under RGOB funded program.

During his visit to Bhutan in November 2001, Alex Knox, Second Secretary, Australian High Commission, New Delhi, upon being briefed on the RGOBÆs decision to allocate 50% of the 9^th Plan HRD budget to the corporate and private sectors, agreed in principle to allocate 50% of the AusAID Scholarships for Bhutan to the corporate and private sector beginning from the year 2002.

Assistance to Bhutan Health Trust Fund

 In response to Lyonpo Sangey Ngedup, Minister for Health & EducationÆs letter seeking support for the Bhutan Health Trust Fund, the Australian Foreign Minister, Mr. Alexander Downer has suggested allocating the funds given by Australia as bilateral assistance to Bhutan towards scholarships in the health sector. He also suggested that we could consider diverting the funds for one scholarship for one year (approximately Au$100,000), to Health Trust Fund.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Agriculture of Bhutan and Rural Fire Service, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Zoological Parks Board, Royal Botanical Gardens, Sydney, and Australian Museum of New South Wales was signed during the visit of Lyonpo Kinzang Dorji, Minister of Agriculture to Australia from 9-14 September 2001. Under the MOU, a technical collaboration on Bhutan Forest Fire Management Programme was signed.

Cooperation in the International fora

Bhutan has been supportive of Australian candidatures to international organizations including to the Security Council and the World Health Organization.   

It may be mentioned here that Australia was the initiator in tabling the resolution on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) on which Bhutan voted against. The resolution was adopted by 158 votes with three against (India, Libya and Bhutan) in September 1996.