Israel's new relations with the relatively-isolated Himalayan nation did not appear to be related to its budding ties under US-sponsored accords with Arab and Muslim countries in the Middle East and Africa. The agreement follows several years of secret contacts between Israel and Bhutan with the aim of establishing relations, the foreign ministry said in a statement. The establishment of relations between us and the Kingdom of Bhutan will serve as another milestone in deepening Israel's ties in Asia," Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said. Bhutan has full diplomatic ties with only 53 countries, Israel's foreign ministry said. A signing ceremony was held between the Israeli and Bhutanese ambassadors to India on Saturday, the foreign ministry said.

Source: bd News24 December 12, 2020 16:30 UTC