Bangladesh has sought Bhutan’s support to revive the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

During a brief transit stop by Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Friday, Bangladesh sought Bhutan’s backing for reviving SAARC for the shared welfare of the region and its people.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moin Khan and Foreign Affairs State Minister Humayun Kabir welcomed the Bhutanese prime minister at the airport. During their brief meeting, they conveyed warm greetings to Tobgay on behalf of Bangladesh’s prime minister.

The two officials also highlighted the vision of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman for a prosperous South Asia.

Bangladesh expressed its interest in contributing to the development of Bhutan’s ‘Gelephu Mindfulness City’ (GMC), particularly by providing professionals as well as skilled and semi-skilled workers.

They also discussed various bilateral issues of mutual interest and praised the longstanding friendly relations between Bangladesh and Bhutan, which date back to Bhutan’s recognition of Bangladesh as an independent country in 1971.

Bhutan’s ambassador to Bangladesh and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present at the meeting.

Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay stayed for around an hour in the VVIP lounge at the airport before departing for Germany.