Kingdom of Bhutan

Brazil established diplomatic relations with Bhutan in 2009, the first Latin American country to do so. Brazil does not have a diplomatic mission in the Bhutanese capital, Thimphu. The Embassy of Brazil in New Delhi (India) is responsible for overseeing, cumulatively, the relations with Bhutan.

The then Prime Minister of Bhutan visited Brazil on two occasions (2009 and 2012). In 2018, Forestry Officer Ugyen Tsshering headed the Bhutanese delegation to the 8th World Water Forum, held in Brasilia. On the occasion, he paid a technical visit to the Itaipu Dam.

In 2021, bilateral trade hit a record high of nearly $600,000, with $201,000 in exports and $398,000 in imports. Brazilian imports consist entirely of electrical machinery and its parts, while exports are mostly comprised of meat.

Minutes of technical cooperation agreement and of memorandum of understanding on bilateral consultations are under negotiation. Possible specific bilateral technical cooperation initiatives are also under consideration.

Chronology of bilateral relations

2018 – Visit to Brazil by the Forestry Officer, Ugyen Tsshering, who headed the Bhutanese delegation to the 8th World Water Forum (March)

2017 – Minister Herman Benjamin, from the Superior Court of Justice (STJ), visits Bhutan to promote exchanges between the judiciaries, with emphasis on environmental law and legal training

2012 – Prime Minister Jigme Y. Thinley visits Brazil to participate in the Rio+20 Conference (June)

2009 – Establishment of diplomatic relations (September); visit to Brazil (November) of the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Jigme Y. Thinley to participate in the 5th International Conference on the “Ranking of Happiness”, a concept internationally supported by Bhutan