Bhutan established "non resident" diplomatic relations with Nepal in 1983. Nepal is another trading partner of Bhutan's. In the last decade, relations between the two countries has developed a tense aspect to it. Starting in the 1980s, the false claim for democracy by some of the illegal immigrants from Nepal has threatened the very survival of the nation. These illegal immigrants were drawn to Bhutan by the abundance of free education, medical facilities and the like in Bhutan. Nepal chose to support this "movement" and therefore the two Governments have been involved in bi-lateral talks in trying to find a solution to this problem. There have been recent developments in these talks over the last few sessions.    Recent visit of the UNHCR mission, with the King      According to Mrs. Sadako Ogata, the recent head of the  UNHCR mission to Bhutan very recently, the two countries are getting closer to solving the problem.

Links for more detailed information about the Nepal-Bhutan Illegal Immigration problem:

Bhutan and the "Refugees"

The Bhutanese Refugees

Recent UNHCR visit to Bhutan and progress in the resolution of the problem (Newspaper articles):

                Bhutanese Source

                From the Daily News on the UNHCR webpage