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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 001019 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR SCA/INS, DRL 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/08/2018 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PINR KDEM IN BT INR
SUBJECT: BIOGRAPHY: BHUTAN'S FIRST DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED 
PRIME MINISTER JIGMI THINLEY 
 
REF: A. NEW DELHI 971 
     ¶B. NEW DELHI 202 
     ¶C. 07 NEW DELHI 5299 
 
Classified By: PolCouns Ted Osius for reasons 1.4 (B,D) 
 
After a Landslide Victory, A Leader is Tapped 
---------- 
 
¶1. (SBU) On April 5, Druk Phuensum Tsogpa (DPT) President 
Jigmi Thinley was unanimously endorsed by his party to serve 
as Bhutan's first Prime Minister of its new democratically 
elected government.  On March 24, the DPT crushed the 
opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) during National 
Assembly elections, leaving it with only two out of 47 seats 
(ref A). 
 
Prime Minister Jigmi Y. Thinley: An Experienced Bureaucrat 
---------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) During Jigmi Thinley's long career, he served the 
people of Bhutan in various capacities.  Before democracy 
broke out, Thinley held the position of Minister for Home and 
Cultural Affairs from 2003-2007.  Per the rules of the 
Election Commission, he resigned this post prior to joining 
politics and becoming the President of the DPT.  Serving as 
Prime Minister is not new for Thinley, who occupied this post 
for a year between 2003-2004 and also in 1998-1999.  He has 
also served as the Minister for Foreign Affairs (1998-2003), 
Secretary for the Ministry of Home Affairs (1993-1994, 
 
SIPDIS 
Governor of Eastern Bhutan (1990-1993), Joint Secretary for 
the Ministry of Communications (1989-1990), Director and Head 
of the Department of Education (1986-1987), and Secretary for 
the Royal Civil Service Commission.  Thinley has represented 
Bhutan overseas while posted as the Permanent Representative 
to the United Nations and Other International Organizations 
in Geneva (1994-1998), at which time he was also the 
accredited Ambassador to Austria, Denmark, Finland, the 
Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the European 
Union.  In New York, Thinley served as the Ambassador, 
Permanent Representative to the United Nations (1988-1989). 
 
Beyond Government, But Still Representing the People of Bhutan 
---------- 
 
¶3. (SBU) In addition to his many postings in government, 
Thinley has served as a Member of the National Assembly of 
Bhutan (1998-2007); a Member of the Planning Commission; the 
President of the Center for Bhutan Studies; and the 
Chairperson for Druk Air Corporation (Bhutan's national 
airline).  In the early 1980s, as the Assistant Secretary and 
later as the Secretary of the Bhutan-India Friendship 
Association, Thinley has been a key figure in deepening 
Bhutan's relationship with its giant neighbor.  He is 
currently serving as an International Counselor for the Asia 
Society and is a Member of the Smithsonian Leadership 
Committee in order to "promote Bhutan's standing as a unique 
culture around the world." 
 
Personal Background 
---------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) Born on September 9, 1952 in the eastern district of 
Bumthang, Thinley left home at the age of 11.  According to 
his official biography, at an early age, he received a 
government scholarship to study at Dr. Graham's Homes in 
Kalimpong, India, where he excelled both academically and in 
extra curricular activities.  Thinley continued his studies 
in India at the prestigious St. Stephen's College in Delhi 
where he received his Bachelors degree in 1974.  Throughout 
his school years, Thinley was involved in theater and school 
politics, and was elected President of the Youth Club.  At 
school in India his peers included current Bhutan Chief 
Justice Sonam Tobgye, Bhutan Chief Election Commissioner 
Khandu Wangchuck and his opponent, President of the PDP 
 
NEW DELHI 00001019  002 OF 002 
 
 
Sangye Ngedup.  After college, Thinley was admitted to 
Pennsylvania State University, where he obtained a Masters in 
Public Administration in 1976. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Thinley has traveled extensively and spoken at 
various international fora, including at the UN General 
Assembly and at SAARC meetings and summits.  He also 
published articles and papers on a number of topics 
including: "Gross National Happiness" (2006); "Globalization 
as seen by Developing Countries" (2002); "Gross National 
Happiness and Human Development" (1999); "Decentralization 
for Effective Dzongkhag Administration and Development" 
(1979); and "Design for a Better System of Education in 
Bhutan" (1976). 
 
¶6. (SBU) Thinley's father was also a public servant for the 
second and third Kings of Bhutan.  Thinley is married to 
Rinsy Dem with whom he has three children, two daughters and 
a son.  In addition to Dzongkha (the traditional Bhutanese 
language), Thinley speaks Hindi and English fluently.  His 
hobbies include gardening and golf. 
 
BIO NOTE 
-------- 
 
¶7. (C) In November 2007, Assistant Secretary for Population 
Refugees and Migration Ellen Sauerbrey and Poloff met 
then-President of the DPT Jigmi Thinley (ref C).  Thinley's 
English was impeccable.  He expressed frustration over the 
lack of participation of women candidates in the election and 
sought advice from Sauerbrey on how to increase their 
participation.  In contrast to his opponent and 
brother-in-law, PDP President Sangye Ngedup, a brash 
politician by Bhutanese standards, Thinley exuded the 
qualities of a statesman. 
 
DEIKUN