Bhutan PM Meets Bangladesh President at Bangabhaban

Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin ‍and Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay paid a courtesy call on President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban on Sunday as part of his three-day state visit to Bangladesh.

Upon his arrival at the presidential palace in the afternoon, the Bhutanese premier was received by the President. The two leaders later held formal talks at the Credential Hall.

President Shahabuddin described Bangladesh’s relationship with Bhutan as a “deep friendship” and expressed hope that bilateral ties would continue to grow. He said cooperation in trade, business, hydropower, education and health is expected to strengthen further in the coming years.

During the meeting, Tshering Tobgay thanked Bangladesh for increasing the number of seats for Bhutanese students in medical colleges and for reserving seats in engineering universities. He also praised Bangladesh’s development progress and reaffirmed Bhutan’s commitment to enhancing relations.

The Bhutanese Prime Minister arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8:15am on Saturday. He was welcomed by Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus. After a brief meeting, a smartly turned-out contingent of the Armed Forces Division gave him a guard of honour.

Following the airport ceremony, the visiting leader travelled to the National Memorial in Savar to pay tribute to the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War. He also planted a sapling and signed the visitors’ book at the memorial.

At Bangabhaban, Tshering Tobgay again signed the visitors’ book.

His delegation includes Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade D.N. Dhungel, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Employment Leonpo Namgyal Dorji, and Bhutanese Ambassador Dasho Karma Hamu Dorjee.

From Bangladesh, Commercial Adviser to the interim government Sheikh Bashir Uddin, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, President’s Office Secretary Khan Md Nurul Amin, Military Secretary Major General Adil Chowdhury and other senior officials were present.