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, the 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. At the reception, a large number of dignitaries including Ministers, Secretaries, Ambassadors, diplomates, and 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 with the ongoing progress in Bangladesh-Bhutan relations and praised the charismatic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Foreign Secretary Ambassador Masud Bin Momen, in his speech, outlined Bangladesh’s foreign policy and elaborated on the path of mutual progress of Bangladesh and Bhutan for the benefit of the two peoples. In the welcome speech, Ambassador of Bangladesh Shib Nath Roy elaborated on Bangladesh-Bhutan bilateral relations. He paid respect to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and hoped that Bangladesh-Bhutan would prosper under the leadership of the Prime Minister and His Majesty the King of Bhutan. The program was coordinated by Counsellor Sujan Debnath.
To mark the ongoing special relations between Bangladesh and Bhutan, the Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh handed over the special ‘Bangladesh-Bhutan Friendship Crest’ to the Bhutanese 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 songs and dances, while 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 the Royal Academy of Performing Arts (RAPA) and G-Music of Bhutan.