PM arrives Thimphu on three-day state visit

Bhutan has given a warm reception to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as she arrived here this morning on a three-day state visit.

During the visit, the prime minister will attend an international conference on autism and nurodevelopmental disorders and hold meetings with Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and discuss bilateral and regional issues.

A Druk Air flight carrying the premier and her entourage members landed at Paro International Airport at 11.35 am, local time.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Bangladesh Ambassador in Thimphu Jishnu Roy Choudhury received the premier at the airport. At that time she was presented ceremonial Khadhar (scarf).

The prime minister was given a guard of honour at the airport and she inspected the guard and took salute.

From the airport, a ceremonial motorcade escorted the prime minister to La Meridien Thimphu hotel where she will be staying during the visit. Lyonpo Chenkyab Dorji, chairman, Royal Privy Council of Bhutan, received the prime minister at the hotel lobby.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Prime Minister's Adviser Dr. Gowher Rizvi, State Minister for Health Jahid Malik, chairperson of Bangladesh National Advisory Committee for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Saima Wazed Hossain and senior government officials are accompanying the prime minister.

The three-day "International Conference on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders" begins at the Royal Banquet Hall in Bhutanese capital tomorrow.

In the afternoon, the prime minister will be ceremonially received at Tashichhodzong, the Royal Palace. A cabinet minister and senior Bhutanese officials will welcome her at the main gate of Tashichhodzong.

Then, the prime minister will have an audience with Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema at the Royal Palace.

Later, Sheikh Hasina will hold a meeting with her Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay at Gyalyong Tshogkhang. The meeting will be followed by signing of six MoUs by the two countries on water management, hydro-power, connectivity and trade.

The prime minister will return home on Thursday morning.

Source: BSS