Bhutanese King in Dhaka on Transit, Pays Courtesy Call on President

On Wednesday morning, Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck made a transit stop at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka before returning to his homeland. President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made a courtesy call on the King at the airport’s VVIP lounge during this short visit. The two leaders had friendly conversations about several kinds of bilateral issues and regional cooperation.

President Alamgir proudly recalled that Bhutan was the first country to recognize independent Bangladesh on December 6, 1971, highlighting the close historical and cordial connections between Bangladesh and Bhutan during the meeting. The King and the royal family were formally invited to Bangladesh for a state visit by the President. In return, both the President and Prime Minister were cordially invited to visit Bhutan whenever it would be convenient for them.

Bhutan’s ambitious ‘Gelephu Mindfulness City’ project and the continued development of the country’s special economic zone in Kurigram were important topics of discussion at the high level. The King gave the President a thorough briefing on the mindfulness city plan and asked for Bangladesh’s active involvement and collaboration. The President responded with great curiosity and a strong desire to work cooperatively with the King to promote mutual economic progress.

The official meetings also effectively built on the recently concluded fourth Foreign Office Consultations in Dhaka, highlighting considerably increased bilateral commerce, a larger Preferential Trade Agreement, and the promising prospect of a future Free Trade Agreement. The two leaders also talked extensively on improving interpersonal connectivity and strengthening bilateral cooperation in the areas of education, healthcare, human resource development, tourism, agriculture, youth, and sports.

Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, the Ambassador of Bhutan to Bangladesh, and senior government officials were present during the cordial meeting. Around 6:30 AM, the special aircraft carrying the King of Bhutan successfully left the airport for Bhutan after spending about an hour in Dhaka. This marked the effective conclusion of a very fruitful diplomatic transit encounter.