Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck made a stopover at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka early Wednesday, where he was welcomed by President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. During an approximately one-hour stay, the two leaders held a courtesy meeting in the VVIP lounge and discussed matters of mutual interest.

The president invited the Bhutanese king and members of the royal family to make a state visit to Bangladesh at a convenient time. The king invited Bangladesh’s president and prime minister to visit Bhutan. He also congratulated Alamgir on assuming the presidency, while both sides exchanged greetings and good wishes for their respective peoples and governments.

Alamgir described Bangladesh-Bhutan ties as deep and historic, noting Bhutan was the first country to recognise Bangladesh on December 6, 1971. The king stressed expanding cooperation in education, trade and investment, and outlined Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City project, seeking Bangladesh’s participation. The president praised the initiative and said Bangladesh was ready to work closely with Bhutan on regional development and sustainable prosperity.