Bhutanese King Makes Brief Stopover in Dhaka, Meets Bangladesh President

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan made a brief stopover in Dhaka on Wednesday while travelling from Singapore to Bhutan. President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir received the Bhutanese monarch at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport early in the morning.

During his stay at the airport, the President held a courtesy meeting with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at the VVIP Lounge. The two sides held cordial discussions on various issues of mutual interest.

During the meeting, President Mirza Fakhrul invited the King of Bhutan and members of the royal family to pay a state visit to Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.

In response, the Bhutanese King invited the President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh to visit Bhutan at a convenient time.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck congratulated President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and conveyed the best wishes on his assumption of office as President.

The President, on behalf of the people and government of Bangladesh, conveyed warm greetings to the King and members of the Bhutanese royal family.

Highlighting the longstanding and historic ties between Bangladesh and Bhutan, President Mirza Fakhrul said Bhutan holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Bangladesh.

He recalled that Bhutan was the first country in the world to recognise Bangladesh as an independent state on December 6, 1971.

The President also highlighted the special affection and deep respect that Bhutan’s former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, father of the current King, has shown towards Bangladesh.

Emphasising the shared aspirations of the two countries for development and prosperity, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck stressed the need to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas including education, trade and investment.

The Bhutanese King also briefed the President on his Gelephu Mindfulness City project and sought Bangladesh’s participation and cooperation in the initiative.

President Mirza Fakhrul expressed interest in the project and said Bangladesh was ready to work closely with Bhutan to advance transformative regional initiatives aimed at mutual prosperity, sustainable development and shared benefits.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, the Bhutanese Ambassador to Bangladesh and senior government officials were present during the meeting.

The special aircraft carrying the Bhutanese King, which arrived from Singapore, departed Dhaka for Bhutan at around 6:30 am.