Bhutan PM's visit reaffirms enduring Dhaka-Thimphu ties

Says a joint statement

FE Team | Published: November 24, 2025 00:31:33

The visit of Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay to Bangladesh has reaffirmed the deep-rooted friendship and goodwill that have long shaped bilateral relations, according to a joint statement issued on Sunday during his ongoing three-day state visit, reports BSS.
Prime Minister Tobgay is visiting Bangladesh from 22 to 24 November at the invitation of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.
Upon arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the Bhutanese premier was received by the Chief Adviser and accorded a Guard of Honour and Gun Salute. He later paid tribute to Bangladesh's freedom fighters by laying a wreath at the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar and planting a sapling on the premises.
Prime Minister Tobgay also paid a courtesy call on President Mohammed Shahabuddin, while Chief Adviser Yunus hosted a state banquet in his honour on Friday.
Adviser for Foreign Affairs Md Touhid Hossain and Adviser for Commerce Sk Bashir Uddin separately called on the visiting prime minister.
The two leaders held official talks on 22 November in a warm and cordial atmosphere, reflecting the time-tested nature of Bangladesh-Bhutan ties. They reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, with special focus on trade, connectivity, economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
Recalling that Bhutan was the first country to recognise Bangladesh on 6 December 1971, the Chief Adviser expressed deep gratitude for Bhutan's steadfast support during the Liberation War.
Both sides also reflected on the visit of the King of Bhutan in March 2024, which had bolstered bilateral cooperation.
Bangladesh and Bhutan underscored the need to enhance trade and private-sector collaboration. Prime Minister Tobgay held discussions with Bangladeshi business leaders to explore new opportunities in investment and commerce.
Dhaka appreciated the Bhutanese King's vision for the Gelephu Mindfulness City and reiterated its willingness to support the initiative. Both sides noted positive progress of the Joint Working Group for developing the Bhutanese Special Economic Zone in Kurigram.
Bangladesh proposed supplying pharmaceutical products to Bhutan on a government-to-government basis, acknowledging that such cooperation would improve Bhutan's access to affordable and high-quality medical supplies.
The leaders expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the Agreement on the Movement of Traffic-in-Transit, noting the completion of the trial run of goods from Chattogram Port to Burimari Land Port.
Prime Minister Tobgay thanked Bangladesh for increasing the annual allocation of MBBS/BDS seats for Bhutanese students in public medical colleges to 30.