India to assist Bangladesh on importing hydropower from Bhutan: FM

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Monday said India will help Bangladesh importing hydropower from Bhutan as like New Delhi helped Dhaka in importing hydropower from Nepal.

Bangladesh wants to import hydropower from Bhutan and a tripartite agreement is required to bring the electricity through India, he said.

The foreign minister made the remarks after a meeting with visiting Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, reports BSS.

Hasan said he had a very cordial meeting with the King while he laid emphasis on increasing people to people contact between the two countries.

He urged the Bhutanese King to join BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) initiative and enhance air connectivity.

Currently, Hasan said there are only two flights on Dhaka-Thimphu route which needs to be increased.

The foreign minister said they also discussed ways to allow people visit Bhutan by road.

They expressed satisfaction over the existing excellent friendly bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries, he said.

They agreed to enhance cooperation in the areas of trade and commerce, connectivity, power, agriculture, education, culture, people to people contact etc.

Bangladesh will allocate 190 acres of land in Kurigram for a special economic zone for the Bhutanese investors.

Dhaka will also construct a Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit in Thimphu as a goodwill gesture which also demonstrates the country's capacity.

A red carpet was rolled out to accord a warm reception to the Bhutanese King on his arrival here this morning on a four-day official visit as President Mohammed Shahabuddin and his wife Dr. Rebeka Sultana received him.

This is the first state visit by any foreign dignitary since formation of the new government after the January 7 national election.

On the first day of visit, Bangladesh and Bhutan signed three new Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) and renewed one to enhance mutual cooperation between the two neighboring countries.

The new MoUs are Establishment of Special Economic Zone in Kurigram, setting up a Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit in Thimphu and technical cooperation on Consumers Rights.

Besides, another MoU on cultural exchange was also renewed.

Visiting Bhutanese King Wangchuck, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Bhutanese Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck witnessed the signing ceremony held at Prime Minister's Office.

Wangchuck also hold a delegation-level meeting with Sheikh Hasina prior to the signing ceremony.

Bhutan was the first country to recognize the newly independent Bangladesh on December 6, 1971 when the third King of Bhutan sent a message of recognition by telegram.