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Israel and Bhutan have declared the establishment of full diplomatic relationships between the two nations.
The agreement on Saturday will “clear the path to more prominent assistance and further establish relations” between Israel and the South Asian kingdom, as per a joint announcement.
Israel’s new relations with the relatively-isolated Himalayan country did not resemble to be associated with its growing ties under US-sponsored agreements with Arab and Muslim nations in the Middle East and Africa.
The arrangement follows many years of close contacts between Israel and Bhutan with the intention of building relationships, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in an announcement.
“Israel’s circle of recognition is growing and expanding,” said Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi.
“The establishment of relationships within the Kingdom of Bhutan and us will serve as another breakthrough in developing Israel’s ties in Asia.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu embraced the agreement, addressing on Twitter that it is an “further fruit of the peace arrangements”.
He stated that Israel was in connection with more nations to normalise relationships.
Saturday’s announcement comes days after Morocco recognised to normalise relations with Israel, the fourth Arab nation to do so since August.
A signing commemoration was held between the Israeli and Bhutanese ambassadors to India on Saturday, the foreign ministry announced. The countries accepted to formulate a joint work plan in the fields of water administration, agriculture, healthcare and other areas, it continued.
Ron Malka, the Israeli Ambassador to India, announced the deal a “historic day” for his nation.
“This arrangement will open up several more possibilities for assistance for the benefit of both our nationalities,” Malka announced on Twitter.
The photographs he posted revealed executives from the two countries are signing papers and shaking hands with beaming smiles.
The remote Kingdom of Bhutan, a nation of less than a million people, is wedged between giant neighbours China and India.
It is well-known for its Gross National Happiness index, benchmarking itself on happiness instead of economic growth.