Nima Wangdi 

His Majesty the King awarded Foreign Minister Dr Tandi Dorji with a red scarf during the 115th National Day at the Changlimithang in Thimphu.

It was in recognition of ‘his selfless and tireless contributions to fighting the Covid-19 pandemic’.

His Majesty The King said that when the pandemic hit the whole world was striving for Covid-19 vaccines and Bhutan was worried about not getting the vaccines. “However, Lyonpo Tandi Dorji as a foreign minister managed the quality vaccines on time.”

His Majesty The King said that the award is also in recognition of his contribution as a civil servant and then as a politician.




Lyonpo Dr Tandi Dorji also contributed to maintaining good diplomatic relations with other countries, which helped fight the pandemic. He managed to bring 3.5 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines into the country.

He is the second minister from this Cabinet to receive a red scarf from His Majesty The King and the third to be awarded the scarf of recognition by His Majesty The King.

Lyonpo Tandi Dorji is also the third generation in his family to receive a red scarf. His father was a Drangpon with a red scarf and his grandfather, who was dzongdag also had received a red scarf.

Lyonpo said that he never expected the recognition and he was thrilled. “I gave my best in serving the King, country, and the people thus far, and receiving the red scarf only means I have got more responsibilities to fulfil.”




He holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree from Mymensingh Medical College at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. He completed his Master of International Public Health from the University of Sydney, Australia, and Master of Business Administration from the University of Canberra, Australia.

Before entering politics, the 54-year-old from Dawakha in Punakha was a paediatrician, public health researcher and technical advisor.

He is a founding member and former president of the Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa. He participated in the 2008 and 2013 elections. He was elected to the National Assembly of Bhutan in the 2018 elections for the Lingmukha-Toedwang constituency.

On November 7, 2018, he was sworn in as Foreign Minister for Bhutan