Israel and Bhutan, a majority-Buddhist nation neighboring India, announced Saturday the establishment of full diplomatic relations.
The agreement will "open the path to greater cooperation and further strengthen relations" between Israel and the South Asian kingdom, the countries said in a joint statement.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the deal, saying it was an "additional fruit of the peace agreements." He added that Israel was in contact with more countries to normalize relations.
The agreement with Bhutan looks separate from US efforts that have led to the normalization of ties between Israel and four Arab countries, including the United Arab Emirates, in recent months.
Israel's accord with Bhutan follows several years of secret contacts between the Jewish state and the Himalayan country with the aim of establishing relations, Jerusalem's Foreign Ministry said.
"Israel's circle of recognition is growing and expanding," Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said. "The establishment of relations between us and the Kingdom of Bhutan will serve as another milestone in deepening Israel's ties in Asia."
Bhutan relied on India for guidance on its foreign and defense policy until a friendship treaty was revised in 2007. It maintains diplomatic relations with around 53 countries.
A signing ceremony was held between the Israeli and Bhutanese ambassadors to India on Saturday at the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi, a joint press release posted on the Bhutanese Foreign Ministry's website said.
"The establishment of diplomatic relations will create new avenues for cooperation between the two countries in water management, technology, human resource development, agricultural sciences and other areas of mutual benefit," it said.
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