Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck will visit the landmark project Padma Bridge during his four-day stay and leave Bangladesh using the northern land port in a gesture to give the connectivity between the South Asian countries a boost.
His arrival on March 25 in a state protocol at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport would be the first of a VVIP visit to Bangladesh since the new government took charge after the January 7 elections.
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud briefed the media on Sunday about his visit.
Bhutan was the first country to recognize the newly independent Bangladesh on December 6, 1971, when the third King of Bhutan sent a message of recognition by telegram.
Since then Bangladesh and Bhutan shared a “special multidimensional” bilateral relationship.
Formal diplomatic relations were established on April 12, 1973.
In 2023, Bangladesh and Bhutan celebrated the Golden Jubilee (50th Anniversary) of the formal establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries.
Bangladesh is the second largest trading partner of Bhutan after India. Both countries are members of SAARC, SAFTA, BIMSTEC, and BBIN, among other regional forums.
The visit will be a milestone in the bilateral relations, the foreign minister said, as he shared details of the King’s sojourn.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin will receive the King at the airport on Monday morning where he will receive a guard of honour as part of the state protocol.
After that, he will visit the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi-32 and pay respect to the portrait of Bangabandhu there.
The foreign minister will call on him at his place of residence at the Hotel Intercontinental. This will be followed by a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Meeting with PM
During the meeting with the prime minister, both sides will discuss the whole range of bilateral and regional issues.
Cooperation in the fields of health, ICT and tourism will be discussed.
Discussion related to regional connectivity, transit, and a preferential trade agreement (PTA) will also get priority.
Bangladesh will propose to produce hydroelectricity with India and Bhutan. They will also discuss cooperation to tackle the challenges of graduation from the LDC status.
MoUs
Three MoUs – establishment of Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit in Thimphu, a special economic zone for Bhutan in northern Kurigram district and technological support for consumer protection – would be signed during the visit.
Besides, cooperation related to cultural exchanges will be renewed.
Gifts in honour of the King
The King will be honoured with gifts from Bangladesh for the people of Bhutan.
The government will increase the seats for Bhutanese students to 30 from the existing 22 in government medical colleges for MBBS study as a gift during the visit.
Two seats will be reserved for Bhutanese foreign service officers at the Bangladesh Foreign Service Academy.
Bhutanese agricultural officers will get three years of training at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council.
Laptops, tabs and other electronic devices will be gifted for the capacity building of Bhutanese government officials.
Significance
The foreign minister said this will be the first state-level visit of any guests after the Awami League returned to power for the fourth consecutive term.
He said the Special Economic Zone would create scopes of trade and businesses, and draw investment and generate employment opportunities.
The Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit in Thimphu will serve the greater interest of the South Asia region, he said.
On March 27, the King will visit the Padma Bridge. After that, he will visit the Special Economic Zone in Araihazar, Narayanganj.
The King will also visit the special economic zone (SEZ) at Madhabram area under Bhogdanga union of Kurigram Sadar upazila on March 28, before leaving Bangladesh using the Sonahat land port.
The Border Guard Bangladesh will give him a guard of honour.
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury will see him off.
