Published : 18 Sep 2026, 04:46 PM
Updated : 18 Sep 2026, 04:46 PM
Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay has made a brief stopover in Dhaka on his way to Germany, holding talks with two Bangladeshi ministers at the airport.
Local Government Minister Abdul Moyeen Khan and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir received Tobgay after he landed at Shahjalal International Airport around 2pm on Friday.
During the meeting, they conveyed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s greetings to the Bhutanese leader, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
The two sides discussed bilateral issues, including Bangladesh’s interest in contributing to the development of Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC).
Bangladesh is particularly interested in providing professionals and skilled and semi-skilled workers for the project, according to the ministry.
The ministers also sought Bhutan’s support for efforts to revitalise the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
Referring to former president Ziaur Rahman’s vision for a prosperous South Asia, they said a revival of SAARC could benefit the region and its people.
The ministers also highlighted the longstanding ties between Bangladesh and Bhutan, which became the first country to recognise Bangladesh in 1971.
Tobgay spent around an hour at the airport’s VVIP lounge before leaving for Germany on a chartered flight.
Bhutanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Dasho Karma Hamu Dorjee and senior foreign ministry officials were also present.
