The flag of the Kingdom of Bhutan. (Photo/Wikimedia Commons-Caleb See) News Israel Israel formalizes ties with Bhutan, the nation seeking ‘gross natural happiness’ Facebook Twitter Email SMS WhatsApp Share By Ron Kampeas, JTA | December 14, 2020 Israel and Bhutan, a small Buddhist majority Himalayan kingdom snuggled between India and China, have established full diplomatic ties. Ron Malka, the Israeli ambassador to India, posted photos on Twitter Saturday of the signing ceremony. Historic day!Today 🇮🇱 & 🇧🇹 established formal diplomatic relations. I was honored & excited to be part of this historic moment & to sign the official note. This agreement will open up many more opportunities for cooperation for the benefit of both our peoples 🇧🇹🤝🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/OBD8esreZQ — Ron Malka 🇮🇱 (@DrRonMalka) December 12, 2020 Bhutan and Israel already have cordial, informal ties. Bhutan has over the last 20 years emerged from centuries of cultural and diplomatic isolation, although it has long accepted development assistance from other countries, including agricultural training from Israel since 1982. The constitutional monarchy is famous for a national policy that eschews materialism and instead seeks “gross national happiness.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that the announcement was “the additional fruit of the peace agreements,” although it’s not clear how ties with the remote Buddhist nation are related to the flurry of agreements Israel has signed in recent months with Sunni Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco. Ron Kampeas JTA D.C. bureau chief JTA Content distributed by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency news service. Also On J. Israel It’s official: Biden will visit Israel, West Bank and Saudi Arabia in July Bay Area Meet Marco Sermoneta, Israel's new S.F.-based consul general Israel Singapore to upgrade presence in Israel to full embassy Israel Yair Lapid becomes Israeli prime minister, Biden congratulates him Subscribe to our Newsletter Enter Email Sign Up