|
NepalBhutan
Nepal has shown interest in developing a mutually
advantageous
relationship with Bhutan, but substantial problems have
persisted.
Through its own treaty with India, signed in 1949, Bhutan
had
generally followed New Delhi's guidance in foreign policy
matters.
Bhutan had serious reservations over joining in regional
and
international organizational politics bearing Nepal's
initiatives
and had ignored the concept of a Himalayan federation.
Another
potential source of dissension in Nepalese-Bhutanese
relations was
the presence of a large Nepalese community in southern
Bhutan. In
the early 1990s, the large Nepalese population emerged as
a
potentially divisive issue between the two countries. In
spite of
these difficulties, Kathmandu maintained nonresident
diplomatic
relations with Thimpu
(see Foreign Relations
, ch. 6).
Data as of September 1991
|
