The Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) initiative, further elaborated during His Majesty’s Royal Visit to Australia this week, represents a groundbreaking constitutional and economic paradigm. By establishing GMC as a Special Administrative Region, Bhutan advances a strategic “one nation, two systems” approach that reinforces national sovereignty while creating an international economic gateway. The project’s legal framework, based on Singaporean law, demonstrates sophisticated statecraft in balancing global investment appeal with sovereign interests. GMC stands unique in its fusion of Gross National Happiness with modern urban planning, creating a groundbreaking model where economic growth harmonizes with environmental sustainability, cultural preservation, and social wellbeing under enlightened governance.
This ambitious initiative perfectly aligns with our constitutional framework. Article 1(1) establishes Bhutan as a Sovereign Kingdom where power belongs to its people, while Article 1(2) enshrines our Democratic Constitutional Monarchy. The GMC project, by creating a robust economic centre, strengthens this sovereignty by enhancing Bhutan’s economic independence and regional influence. Under Article 8(1), we have a fundamental duty to preserve and protect Bhutan’s sovereignty, which GMC supports by securing our economic future while maintaining cultural integrity.
For Bhutanese professionals, particularly those working abroad, GMC presents unprecedented opportunities. The project aligns with our fundamental duty under Article 8(11) to respect and abide by the Constitution, as it creates pathways for citizens to actively participate in nation-building. Leadership positions across sectors like technology, finance, health, education, and spirituality will emerge, enabling Bhutanese expatriates to return home and contribute their expertise to national development. This fulfils Article 2(2), which positions His Majesty as the symbol of unity of the Kingdom and its people.
The adoption of Singaporean law for GMC reflects His Majesty’s pragmatic governance. This will create a business-friendly environment attracting international investment, while preserving Bhutanese sovereignty, providing clear guidelines for operations, IP protection, and dispute resolution, commercial laws and regulations.
As Bhutanese, we must recognize that GMC represents more than an economic initiative – it’s a constitutional fulfilment of our sovereign aspirations and fundamental duties as provided by our constitution. The project calls for collective participation, whether through skill development or investment, to transform Bhutan into a regional economic powerhouse while preserving our unique cultural identity. This is our moment to embrace His Majesty’s vision and work together to secure Bhutan’s future prosperity while upholding our constitutional responsibilities as citizens.
Through GMC, Bhutan stands poised to emerge as a crucial gateway in South Asia, demonstrating how a small nation can maintain its sovereignty and cultural integrity while achieving economic vibrancy. This is the essence of our constitutional monarchy’s vision – pragmatic progress rooted in our traditional values and sovereign identity.
Sonam Tshering
Lawyer, Thimphu
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are author’s own