President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir welcomed Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport early Wednesday as the Bhutanese monarch made a stopover in Dhaka while travelling from Singapore to Bhutan.
The special aircraft carrying the Bhutanese King landed in Dhaka in the early hours and stayed at the airport for around an hour.
During his stay, President Mirza Fakhrul held a courtesy meeting with the King at the VVIP Lounge.
The two exchanged views in a cordial atmosphere on various issues of mutual interest.
The President invited the Bhutanese King and members of the royal family to make a state visit to Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.
In response, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck invited the President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh to visit Bhutan at their convenience.
The Bhutanese King congratulated Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and extended his best wishes to him on assuming office as President.
The President conveyed warm greetings from the people and government of Bangladesh to the King and members of the Bhutanese royal family.
The Bhutanese monarch, in turn, extended his best wishes to the people and government of Bangladesh.
During the meeting, President Mirza Fakhrul said Bangladesh and Bhutan share deep and historic ties.
“Bhutan has always held a special place in our hearts, as it was the first country in the world to recognise Bangladesh on December 6, 1971,” he said.
The President also recalled with deep respect the special affection and goodwill shown towards Bangladesh by the father of the present Bhutanese King, late King Jigme Singye Wangchuck.
Highlighting the shared aspirations of Bangladesh and Bhutan for development and prosperity, the Bhutanese King stressed the need to further expand bilateral cooperation in various areas, including education, trade and investment.
King Jigme Khesar also briefed the President on his visionary Gelephu Mindfulness City project and sought Bangladesh’s participation and cooperation in the initiative.
The President expressed keen interest in the project and appreciated the initiative.
He said Bangladesh was ready to work closely with Bhutan to advance transformative initiatives in the region aimed at promoting mutual wellbeing, prosperity and sustainable development.
Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, the Bhutanese Ambassador to Bangladesh and senior officials of the Bangladesh government were present during the courtesy meeting.
The special aircraft carrying the Bhutanese King departed Dhaka for Bhutan at around 6:30am.
