A red carpet was rolled out at Paro International Airport as President Abdul Hamid reached Bhutan on a four-day state visit at the invitation of Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
On his arrival at the airport at 4:50 pm (local time), the President was received by Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay and Ambassador of Bangladesh to Bhutan Jishnu Roy Choudhury.
Two girls presented bouquets to President Abdul Hamid and his wife Rashida Khanom while the Bhutanese Prime Minister presented Khadhars (ceremonial scarf) to the Bangladesh President.
The Bhutanese Prime Minister then introduced his cabinet colleagues and senior government officials to Abdul Hamid at the presentation line. After the warm reception at the airport, the President was taken to Taj Tashi Hotel in Thimphu through a ceremonial motorcade where he will be staying during the visit.
Schoolchildren, carrying miniature flags of both Bangladesh and Bhutan, welcomed the President just outside the airport. Abdul Hamid got down from his vehicle and exchanged greetings with them.
On his arrival at the hotel, President Hamid was received by the chairman of Royal Privy Council Lyonpo Chenkyab Dorji. Earlier, President Abdul Hamid left Dhaka for Thimphu in the afternoon. A flight of Druk Air carrying the President, his wife Rashida Khanom and his entourage left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 4 pm (Bangladesh time).
Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, dean of the diplomatic corps, cabinet secretary, chiefs of the three services and high civil and military officials saw him off at the VVIP lounge of the airport. During the visit, the President will have a meeting with the King of Bhutan at Tashichhodzong, a Buddhist monastery and fortress, on Saturday. The Bangladesh President will join a dinner to be hosted by the King at Lingkana Palace, a residence of the King. Abdul Hamid will also have a meeting with former King Jigme Singye
Wangchuck, father of the current Bhutanese King. Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay will meet President Hamid at Taj Tashi Hotel on Saturday. The Prime Minister will also host a dinner on Sunday at Royal Banquet Hall, Langjupakha in honour of the Bangladesh President. Speaker of the National Assembly of Bhutan Lyonpo Jigme Zangpo, Chairman of National Council Sonam Kinga and Foreign Minister Lyonpo Damcho Dorji will separately meet President Hamid during the tour.
The President will also address the joint session of the Bhutanese Parliament on Monday.
Abdul Hamid will visit the historically and culturally important places like Kuenselphodrang and Dochula.
It is expected that the visit, apart from consolidating bilateral relations, will carry forward the momentum generated for sub-regional cooperation. The President is scheduled to return home on July 4.
