20 April 2024:

National Day Reception of Bangladesh was held in Bhutan with great fervor and enthusiasm with the participation of Bhutanese dignitaries from all levels. On this occasion, Bangladesh Embassy in Thimphu yesterday (19 April 2024) organized a reception at the prestigious Terma Linca Hotel in Thimphu. Her Majesty the Queen Mother of Bhutan Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck of Bhutan graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Her Royal Highness Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck and His Serene Highness Dasho Jigme Singye Wangchuck were present as Royal representatives. The Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh Ambassador Masud Bin Momen was present as a Guest of Honour. In the reception, a large number of dignitaries including Ministers, Secretaries, Ambassadors, diplomates, intellectuals were also present.

On this occasion, the Bhutanese Queen Mother congratulated the people of Bangladesh and recalled the fruitful visit of the Bhutanese King to Bangladesh in the last week of March as the ‘Guest of Honour’ of the Great Independence Day of Bangladesh. Bhutanese Queen Mother expressed her satisfaction for the ongoing progress in Bangladesh-Bhutan relations and praised the charismatic leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.  Foreign Secretary Ambassador Masud Bin Momen, in his speech, outlined Bangladesh foreign policy and elaborated the path of mutual progress of Bangladesh and Bhutan for the benefit of two peoples. On the welcome speech, Ambassador of Bangladesh Shib Nath Roy elaborated Bangladesh-Bhutan bilateral relations. He paid respect to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and hoped that Bangladesh-Bhutan will prosper under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister and His Majesty the King of Bhutan. Program was coordinated by Counsellor Sujan Debnath.

To mark the ongoing special relations between Bangladesh and Bhutan, Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh handed over special ‘Bangladesh-Bhutan Friendship Crest’ to the Bhutanes Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck and Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck.  

As a symbol of cultural exchange between Bangladesh and Bhutan, the Royal Academy of Performing Arts (RAPA) of Bhutan presented Bangladeshi song and dances, while and Bangladeshi singers performed Bhutanese patriotic songs. Famous singer Dr. Vivek Karmahi performed Rabindra Nath Tagore’s ‘Aji Bangladesh er Hriday Hote’. Cultural performances were rendered by Royal Academy of Performing Arts (RAPA) and G-Music of Bhutan.