Relationship dossier
Bhutan
Nepal
Relationship assessment
Diplomatic engagement persists, but the unresolved legacy of Bhutanese refugees in Nepal remains a major source of strain.
Bhutan toward Nepal
-35Bhutan entered negotiations with Nepal over Bhutanese refugees, but its policies toward ethnic Nepalis drove a large exodus to Nepal, and the talks did not produce broad repatriation. This has been a major source of strain in Bhutan’s relations with Nepal.
Nepal toward Bhutan
+15Nepal hosted Bhutanese refugees and engaged in bilateral negotiations with Bhutan over their status. Many refugees later resettled in third countries, although broad repatriation was not achieved.
Overall relationship
-20The relationship combines diplomatic engagement and refugee negotiations with a sustained dispute over the consequences of Bhutanese policies toward ethnic Nepalis and the failure to achieve broad repatriation. This unresolved issue has shaped the bilateral relationship more strongly than the limited cooperation evident beyond it.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Bhutan and Nepal have maintained diplomatic engagement, including negotiations over Bhutanese refugees in Nepal. Bhutan’s policies toward ethnic Nepalis led to a large refugee exodus, and broad repatriation did not follow the bilateral talks. Nepal hosted the refugees and took part in negotiations, while many later resettled in third countries. The refugee issue has weighed heavily on an otherwise limited bilateral relationship.
Areas of tension
- The status and possible repatriation of Bhutanese refugees in Nepal
- Disagreement over refugee verification and responsibility for the exodus of ethnic Nepalis from Bhutan
Key developments
Bhutan and Nepal established diplomatic relations.
The two governments began bilateral talks concerning Bhutanese refugees in Nepal.
Resettlement of Bhutanese refugees from Nepal to third countries began.
Major uncertainties
- The scope of cooperation beyond refugee negotiations is unclear.
- The current status of bilateral engagement on refugee-related matters is uncertain.