Bangladesh is keen to cooperate with Bhutan to advance transformative initiatives in the region aimed at promoting mutual welfare, prosperity and sustainable development.

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said this today during a courtesy call on Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at the VVIP lounge of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka.

The meeting took place during the Bhutanese king's one-hour stopover at HSIA early in the morning aboard a special aircraft.

During the meeting, they discussed various issues of mutual interest.

The president invited the Bhutanese king and members of the royal family to pay a state visit to Bangladesh at their convenience.

In response, the Bhutanese king invited the president and the prime minister of Bangladesh to visit Bhutan at their convenience.

The king congratulated Mirza Fakhrul and conveyed his best wishes to him on assuming office as president.

The president, in turn, conveyed warm greetings to the king and members of the royal family on behalf of the people and government of Bangladesh.

Highlighting the historic ties between the two countries, Mirza Fakhrul said, “Bhutan always holds a special place in our hearts because it was the first country in the world to recognise Bangladesh on December 6, 1971.”

The president also highlighted the special affection and deep respect that the current king's father, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, has shown towards Bangladesh.

At the meeting, the Bhutanese king stressed the need to further enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields, including education, trade and investment.

The king also briefed the president on the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) project and sought Bangladesh's participation in and cooperation with the initiative.

Expressing interest in the project, the president assured the king of Bangladesh's support and cooperation in advancing the initiative for mutual welfare, prosperity and sustainable development.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, Bhutan's ambassador to Bangladesh and senior Bangladesh government officials were present at the meeting.

The special aircraft carrying the Bhutanese king from Singapore left Dhaka for Bhutan around 6:30am.