Bhutan’s international profile will grow

Significance

In a bid to support the recovery of its pandemic-hit economy, it late last year issued its first sovereign bond, for local investors. Separately, boundary disputes with China remain a source of concern in the kingdom.

Impacts

• India will continue to exert strong influence over Bhutan’s foreign policy.
• Many countries will likely adopt aspects of Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness agenda.
• Bhutan will step up efforts to secure more AstraZeneca jabs so it can administer enough second doses of the vaccine to its adult population.