Bangladesh Seeks Bhutan’s Backing to Revive SAARC

Bangladesh on Friday sought Bhutan’s support to revitalise the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) for the collective benefit of the region and its people, during a brief transit stop in Dhaka by Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir received the Bhutanese prime minister at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

During their meeting, the Bangladesh ministers conveyed warm greetings from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to the Bhutanese premier.

Referring to Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman’s vision of a prosperous South Asia, they sought Bhutan’s backing for efforts to revitalise SAARC and strengthen regional cooperation.

The ministers also expressed Bangladesh’s interest in contributing to the development of Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), particularly through the deployment of Bangladeshi professionals as well as skilled and semi-skilled workers.

The meeting also covered bilateral issues of mutual interest, while both sides highlighted the longstanding friendship between Bangladesh and Bhutan. The two countries share particularly close ties since Bhutan became the first country to recognise Bangladesh as an independent state in 1971.

The Ambassador of Bhutan to Bangladesh and senior officials from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also present.

Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay spent around an hour at the VVIP lounge before continuing his journey to Germany.