HE Ambassador DR Thierry Mathou

Dr. Thierry Mathou is a seasoned French diplomat and scholar specializing in Himalayan studies, particularly Bhutan. His distinguished diplomatic career includes ambassadorships to Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and, since 2023, India. As Director General for Asia and Oceania, he shaped France’s Indo-Pacific strategy. Dr. Mathou’s academic work focuses on Bhutan’s unique political transition and Gross National Happiness, authoring several books including The Bodhisattva King. He leads cultural preservation projects under Bhutanese royal patronage and is affiliated with the French National Centre for Scientific Research. He holds MBAs from France and the UK, and a PhD in Political Science from Paris.