The meetings focused on regional coordination in the areas of sustainability and further developing economic relations. Together with his Bhutanese counterpart, the Federal Councillor inaugurated "40 Years Unfolded Through 40 Pictures", an exhibition of forty carefully selected photographs celebrating four decades of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Bhutan.

Switzerland established official relations with Bhutan in 1985, becoming the ninth country to do so. Over the years, Switzerland has invested over CHF 200 million in development initiatives in Bhutan and supported projects in agriculture, forestry, education, infrastructure, and health. Since the Kingdom graduated from the United Nation’s Least Developed Countries category in 2023, our bilateral relations have transitioned from "aid to trade". The transition paves the way for a new era of economic partnership, following the line of the Gelephu Mindfulness City project that aims to create a vibrant economic hub and bring Gross National Happiness into action for the 21st century.

From 2019 onward, Switzerland has organized three business delegations to Bhutan (in 2019, 2023 and 2024), with the aim of exploring trade, cultural, and investment opportunities. Each delegation has included close to 20 Swiss companies.

Contact for more information: newdelhi@eda.admin.ch