Bhutan King meets Bangladesh President during brief Dhaka stopover
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck met Bangladesh President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir during a Dhaka stopover, discussing bilateral ties, trade, investment and Gelephu Mindfulness City.
His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck met Bangladesh President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir during a brief transit stop in Dhaka on Wednesday, 26 August, with the two sides discussing bilateral cooperation, regional development and the Gelephu Mindfulness City project.
The King was travelling from Singapore to Bhutan when his special aircraft stopped at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for about an hour early in the morning. President Mirza Fakhrul received His Majesty at the airport and held a courtesy meeting with him at the VVIP Lounge.
Invitations exchanged for future visits
During the meeting, President Mirza Fakhrul invited His Majesty The King and members of the Royal Family to make a state visit to Bangladesh at a convenient time.
His Majesty, in turn, invited the President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh to visit Bhutan at a mutually convenient time.
The King also congratulated Mirza Fakhrul on assuming office as President. Mirza Fakhrul formally began his duties at Bangabhaban on 23 August, three days before the meeting.
The President conveyed greetings to His Majesty and the Royal Family on behalf of the government and people of Bangladesh, while the King extended his best wishes to the government and people of Bangladesh.
Historic Bhutan-Bangladesh ties highlighted
The discussions also reflected on the longstanding relationship between Bhutan and Bangladesh.
“Bhutan always holds a special place in our hearts, as it was the first country in the world to recognise Bangladesh on December 6, 1971,” the President said.
The account is supported by official records from both countries. Bhutan recognised Bangladesh as an independent country on 6 December 1971, and formal diplomatic relations were established in 1973.
President Mirza Fakhrul also recalled the close relationship maintained with Bangladesh by His Majesty’s father, King Jigme Singye Wangchuck.
Education, trade and investment discussed
His Majesty emphasised opportunities to deepen cooperation between Bhutan and Bangladesh, particularly in education, trade and investment, according to the account of the meeting released by the Bangladesh president's office.
The two countries already cooperate across areas including trade, education, health, agriculture, civil aviation and people-to-people exchanges. Bhutan and Bangladesh have maintained diplomatic relations for more than five decades.
Gelephu Mindfulness City on the agenda
His Majesty also briefed the President on Gelephu Mindfulness City and sought Bangladesh's participation and cooperation in the project.
Gelephu Mindfulness City, or GMC, is a Special Administrative Region in southern Bhutan. Established by Royal Charter in 2024, it is intended to develop a new economic hub combining investment and business activity with Bhutanese values, environmental considerations and the country's Buddhist heritage.
President Mirza Fakhrul expressed interest in the project and said Bangladesh was ready to cooperate with Bhutan on regional initiatives aimed at mutual prosperity and sustainable development.
Bangladesh's interest in GMC predates Wednesday's meeting. During Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay's state visit to Bangladesh in November 2025, the two countries issued a joint statement in which Bangladesh expressed readiness to extend cooperation in the development of the project.
Continued high-level engagement
Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, Bhutan's Ambassador to Bangladesh and senior Bangladeshi government officials attended the meeting.
The King's aircraft departed Dhaka for Bhutan at around 6:30 am, concluding the brief stopover.
The meeting continues a period of regular high-level engagement between Bhutan and Bangladesh, with economic cooperation and Gelephu Mindfulness City increasingly forming part of the bilateral agenda.
