Thimphu (AsiaNews) – On 12 August in Bhutan, the Minister of Home Affairs, Lyonpo Tshering, and the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Gem Tshering, tendered their resignations. The former cited “moral” reasons, whilst the latter attributed his departure from the government to his advanced age. Both will continue to serve as members of Parliament.
A controversy that erupted on social media weighed heavily on the decision of the Home Minister, who had been in office since 2024: Tshering is alleged to have shared sensitive information with a woman who had previously accused him of rape. According to the Bhutan Broadcasting Service, the two had had a consensual relationship.
The case had subsequently gone to court, which dismissed the charges due to a lack of medical evidence and the delay in filing the complaint, which was made more than a year after the events took place.
Tshering has always denied any wrongdoing, but the new controversy has reignited public attention on the matter, leading to his resignation in August. He had already attempted to step down in March, but his request was not accepted by Prime Minister Tobgay Tshering.
The ministers’ resignations have now left two posts vacant in the government and are fuelling speculation about possible successors and a potential reshuffle of the balance of power.
The People’s Democratic Party, the ruling party, has however emphasised that any discussion of replacements is still premature and that the new appointments will follow the constitutional process. In Bhutan, ministers are chosen from among the members of Parliament and appointed by the King on the advice of the Prime Minister. The government has indicated that the timetable for the appointment of successors will be announced in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, last week, Japanese Princess Akiko of Mikasa travelled to Bhutan to mark 40 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. During her visit, she met the King of Bhutan and visited Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), one of the country’s major development projects.
As well as celebrating the long-standing partnership between Bhutan and Japan, the visit to GMC highlighted the project’s importance for the future of the Himalayan kingdom and its allies.
Initiated by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Gelephu Mindfulness City is an ambitious infrastructure project aimed at creating a new economic and administrative hub, combining tradition, innovation and technology.
It will be built in the south of the country, on the border with the Indian state of Assam. India will play an important role in the project’s development, particularly with regard to transport links. The planned infrastructure includes the Kokrajhar–Gelephu railway line, which is set to improve access to the new city and, more generally, connectivity between the two countries.
Photo: Gelephu Investment and Development Corporation
