Bhutan, Nepal envoys met with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. -Collage Photo

DHAKA, March 8, 2026 (BSS) - The Ambassadors of Bhutan and Nepal today paid 
separate courtesy calls on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed 
Islam and discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation and regional 
collaboration.

Ambassador of Bhutan to Bangladesh Dasho Karma Hamu Dorjee and Ambassador of 
Nepal Ghanshyam Bhandari met the state minister at the Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs here, said a foreign ministry's press release. 

The envoys congratulated Obaed on assuming office and expressed their 
governments' keen interest in working closely with the new government of 
Bangladesh.

During the meetings, the state minister reiterated the BNP government's 
priority to foster strong, mutually beneficial and forward-looking relations 
with neighbouring countries to promote regional peace and prosperity.

In the meeting with the Bhutanese ambassador, both sides reviewed the overall 
state of Bangladesh-Bhutan relations and expressed interest in further 
strengthening cooperation in areas including trade and commerce, energy, 
connectivity, education and people-to-people contacts.

The state minister also recalled with appreciation Bhutan's historic 
recognition of Bangladesh in 1971.

They also discussed ongoing engagements, particularly the expansion of 
bilateral trade and the establishment of a Bhutanese Special Economic Zone in 
Kurigram.

In a separate meeting with the Nepalese envoy, the state minister 
congratulated the government and people of Nepal on the successful conduct of 
their recent parliamentary election.

Both sides discussed a range of issues of mutual interest including trade and 
commerce, energy cooperation, connectivity, education, tourism, cultural 
exchange and people-to-people contacts.

They reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation and 
further strengthening the longstanding friendly relations between Bangladesh 
and Nepal.

During the discussions, views were also exchanged on enhancing regional 
cooperation.
 
The state minister recalled the vision of late President Ziaur Rahman in 
establishing SAARC and underscored the importance of revitalising the 
regional organisation to promote greater collaboration among South Asian 
countries.